"This gathering tonight is a sign of that unity"

From WickedLocal Franklin, articles of interest for Franklin:

"More than 100 Jews, Catholics, Episcopalians and members of other faith groups gathered at the St. John’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday night to offer prayers. 

The packed pews were filled with people from different faiths, but all had a common goal – unity and peace among each other. 

The prayers and songs delivered during the hour-long service reflected both a sense of remorse for the direction that America is headed and a sense of hope for what people can do to change the shifting tides. 

The 11 lives lost during the mass shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday were the main focus of the vigil, but positive notes of a future worth changing reverberated from the words spoken by the town’s faith leaders."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20181030/franklin-vigil-mourns-pittsburgh-victims

a copy of the Interfaith Service program cover

Rev Charlie Eastman read Maya Angelou's Inaugural Poem which is actually called "On the Pulse of the Morning"

You can find the full text here
https://poetry.eserver.org/inaugural-poem

Background on the poem read at President Clinton's Inauguration in 1993
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Pulse_of_Morning

and video of Maya Angelou reading at the Inauguration in 1993





While the Inaugural Poem is impressive, the refrain of the song performed by the Temple Etz Chaim choir is what lingers in my brain even today

"I will build this world from love ... tai dai dai
And you must build this world from love ... tai dai dai
And if we build this world from love ... tai dai dai
Then God will build this world from love ... tai dai dai"

Photos from the event can be found on Facebook courtesy of the wonderful work by Jake Jacobson
https://www.facebook.com/jake.jacobson.71/media_set?set=a.10218052635207849&type=3

On Friday, Nov 2 - #showupforshabbat

#showupforshabbat

Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club: November Meeting - Nov 14

Not just for Newcomers . . . the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club invite you to our November gathering. On Wednesday, November 14 please join us at "3" Restaurant at 7:30 PM. Join us upstairs for complimentary appetizers and beverages.

Our speaker will be Carly Fisher, Chair of the Franklin Agricultural Commission. Carly will update us on the role of the commission and discuss the types of local agriculture and what residents can do to help promote and support them. Carly owns Clarion Farm in Franklin; a riding school, training and breeding facility located on Lincoln Street.

Join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. As a member driven organization . . . your ideas count and we want to hear them!

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us 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. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club: November Meeting - Nov 14

FHS boys and girls soccer playoff seeding revealed

Via HockomockSports and the MIAA, we share the playoff seeding for the FHS both the boys and girls soccer teams


D1 South
#7 Franklin (10-6-2) will host #10 BC High (9-6-3) on Saturday, 11/3 at 5:00.

D1 South
#11 Franklin (10-2-5) will travel to #6 Hingham (12-1-5) on Saturday, 11/3 at 5:15.


For the other boys soccer teams around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-soccer-playoff-seeds-matchups/

For the other girls soccer teams around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-soccer-playoff-seeds-matchups/

The complete MIAA brackets for soccer can be found online 
http://miaa.ezstream.net/index.cfm?itemid=8192

D1 - south boys soccer bracket

D1 - south girls soccer bracket

Lifelong Community Learning: Ski Trips to plan for

Skiers and Riders . . . SAVE THE DATE!!!!

Franklin's Lifelong Community Learning is hosting 2 Ski buses this coming winter.

The first, on SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 a bus will leave Franklin HS at approx. 5:30 am and head to Okemo Mountain in Ludlow VT. Relax or sleep on the coach bus and don't worry about the driving! We'll depart Vermont for home after the lifts close, approx. 4:30.

The second bus will leave Franklin HS on SATURDAY, MARCH 2 at approx. 5:30 am and head to Bretton Woods, NH.

Either trip makes a great Holiday Gift for your favorite snow bunny!!!!

Lifelong Community Learning:  Ski Trips to plan for

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group - Nov 17

All women are invited to join the St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group on November 17 from 9 – 10 AM in the auditorium of the Benjamin Franklin Charter School. 

We will be viewing a segment of Bishop Barron's "Catholicism" series, with small group discussion to follow. Since segments are on independent topics, we encourage you to attend even if you missed a previous session. 

Light refreshments will be served. Feel free to bring a friend!

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group - Nov 17

In the News: "The Legend of Moll"

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

"The story - one of Franklin’s little known tales from a time when it was still part of Wrentham - is being brought to life by Franklin TV’s Christopher Flynn, writer, producer and director of FlynnFilms Productions 31. 

With the help of James Johnston, an avid historian who grew up and still resides in the once-cursed Oliver Pond home, Flynn is working on a film dramatizing the legend of Moll, which will eventually be aired on Franklin TV. He wrote a script based on the story, with input for period authenticity and dialog from Johnston, hired a cast and has started filming. 

“I was introduced to the story of Moll through a mini-series that I’d done back in 2014 with Jim Johnston,” said Flynn, a student of Johnston’s when he taught history at the high school. “The story of Moll was told in the first episode of the mini-series, and I did an animated segment to supplement Jim telling the story on camera. This animated segment was included as part of this first episode.” 

After working on the segment, he said he was inspired to do something more with the story."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181030/filmmaker-dramatizing-story-of-18th-century-franklin-witch

http://www.flynnfilmsproductions.com/storyofmoll.html

"Breweries are being well-recognized for being an economic catalyst"

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

"For the second year in a row, a MetroWest brewery has been honored as Manufacturer of the Year. 

On Tuesday, during a ceremony at the Statehouse, the House Manufacturing Caucus named Medusa Brewing Company one of 59 Manufacturers of the Year. 

State Rep. Kate Hogan, a Democrat from Stow whose district includes Hudson, nominated Medusa for the award. 

“It was a complete honor – a total surprise,” said Medusa co-founder Keith Sullivan. “Kate was very proud of us being a brewery on Main Street. We’re doing a lot of good work helping the ground grow and reinvesting in it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181031/hudsons-medusa-brewing-tapped-for-manufacturer-of-year

Medusa Brewing Company

Manufacturing Caucus Hosts Third Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony

MGB Company in Franklin, received a Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Third Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony at the State House. The company which specializes in the manufacturing of precision screw machined parts for the electronics, military, aerospace, medical, telecommunications, and automotive industries, was nominated by State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin).

Representative Roy with MGB US Inc

"MGB excels in innovation in the medical, electronics and military markets, and it is great that it has chosen Franklin as the home for its American facility," said Rep. Jeffrey N, Roy (D Franklin). "We know that the company is well positioned to grow and is looking to expand its operations, bring in more equipment, increase production, and hire more employees in Franklin. So I was please to nominate MGB because of its contributions to the sector and its commitment to Massachusetts."

The Award Ceremony was the state's Third Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony sponsored by the Legislature's Manufacturing Caucus, Along with MGB, 58 manufacturers were recognized for truly "making it" in Massachusetts. The ceremony honored the manufacturers and showcased their innovative and revolutionary manufacturing capabilities and products. 

The event included companies who make furniture, jewelry, handcrafted electric bicycles, precision screw machined parts, marble and granite, custom paper, flutes and piccolos, precision machined parts for aerospace, and even hummus and peanut butter.

members of the Manufacturing Caucus and award winners

Representative Roy, Senator Eric P. Lesser (Co-Chair of the Caucus), Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo offered remarks at the ceremony.

FSPA to hold “Up Your Game” Musical Theater Workshop - Nov 10

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Director Raye Lynn Mercer will lead an "Up Your Game" workshop on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 AM - 12 PM. The class will focus on audition techniques, preparing your audition binder, and wardrobe. Students will receive individualized instruction and feedback with the chance to focus on personal development. Parents are invited to observe, listen and ask questions. The class is open to Grades 5-12, however enrollment is limited. Please call (508) 528-8668 to register.

Founder of FSPA, Raye Lynn Mercer received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Middlebury College and attended the Vienna International Music Center in Vienna, Austria, where she studied with Maria-Regina Seidlhofer of the Academy of Music. Pianist, director and choreographer, Raye Lynn has presented over three decades of musicals, plays, concerts, and dance productions with FSPA as well as the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), established in 1991. 

Raye Lynn Mercer

Her FSPA students’ résumés include Broadway, national tours, off-Broadway, regional and touring companies, European concert tours, Fox-TV’s American Idol finals and performances at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, as well as placement in top college and conservatory arts programs. Internationally, she has developed Electric Youth’s professional concert tours in Europe and taught musical theater workshops in Austria and Hong Kong. 

President and Executive Director of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, Raye Lynn is the visionary of THE BLACK BOX and most recently directed FPAC’s production of Disney’s Newsies starring Broadway’s Christopher Rice, collaborating with choreographer Chaz Wolcott of Disney’s Newsies and So You Think You Can Dance.

FHS volleyball has a bye in first round of playoffs as #2 seed

Via HockomockSports and the MIAA, we share the playoff seeding for the FHS volleyball team

D1 Central/West
#2 Franklin (17-0) will host the winner of #7 Concord-Carlisle (13-5)/#10 Wellesley (10-8) on a date and time to be announced.


For other Hockomock seedings for Volleyball
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-volleyball-playoff-seeds-matchups-2018/

The full MIAA bracket can be found online  http://miaa.ezstream.net/index.cfm?itemid=8191

The D1 Central West bracket  http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=4992

D1 Central West bracket

FHS Panthers

MOMS Club: Preschool Fair - Nov 14

Wednesday, November 14 

Franklin Public Library 
5:30-7:30 PM

Come meet and make connections with several local preschools and child care providers. This is a FREE community event hosted by the MOMS Club of Franklin.




For about the MOMS Club connect with them via Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/MOMS-Club-of-Franklin/

MOMS Club: Preschool Fair - Nov 14

MassBudget: Sunday's op-ed on transportation investment

Co-written by our senior policy analyst

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. In case you missed Sunday's op-ed in the Metro West Daily News and several other syndicated newspapers, we paired with Chris Dempsey, Director of Transportation for Massachusetts to examine whether the Commonwealth's planned transportation investments with available funds for the next five years are sufficient for building and repairing a modern transportation system to support our growing economy and those who live and work here. Below is an excerpt of the op-ed: Dempsey and Baxandall: Coming up short on transportation By Phineas Baxandall and Chris Dempsey Want a peek at Massachusetts' transportation system five years from now? The state's recently approved Capital Investment Plan (CIP) provides that blueprint, spelling out how much money is set aside through 2023 for specific bridges, roads, public transit, and airports. The $17.3 billion plan says a lot about where we will be improving Massachusetts transportation - and also what will be missing. Although Massachusetts is poised to make much-needed investments that help rebuild, repair, and revitalize essential components of the commonwealth's transportation network, the CIP is simply not sufficient to build a modern transportation system that supports our economy and the needs of all who live and work here. The CIP looks at three broad categories of investments: fix, upgrade, and expand. Together these make up 89 percent of CIP spending, while the remainder is allocated to local roadway repairs and planning overhead.  Read the full op-ed to learn how transportation investments are broken down. 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 mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: Warren, Diehl debate again; Baker, Warren with leads in poll

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

"Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her Republican challenger, state Rep. Geoff Diehl, faced off in their final debate Tuesday, challenging each other on everything from the caravans of migrants making their way to the southern U.S. border to the GOP-led tax cut. 

Warren tried to tie Diehl to the policies of President Donald Trump, who remains unpopular in Massachusetts, saying he failed to push back against Trump at key moments, including when he launched his presidential campaign by calling Mexicans rapists and murderers. 

Warren said Diehl “has Donald Trump’s back” no matter how ugly the rhetoric."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181030/warren-gops-diehl-clash-in-final-debate-of-campaign

"Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Gov. Charlie Baker appear to be cruising toward re-election, but voters in Massachusetts are less enthusiastic about a potential Warren bid for the White House, according to a new poll out Monday, a week before the election. 

Voters also appear to be leaning against the fiercely fought ballot question that would impose nurse staffing ratios in Massachusetts hospitals, with almost 59 percent now saying they plan to vote against Question 1. 

With Warren and Baker gearing up for their final televised debates this week, the two incumbents lead their races by 21 and 39 points respectively, according to the Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181030/poll-shows-baker-warren-with-big-leads-but-white-house-run-less-popular

Election Information for Nov 2018

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Join Us for the General Meeting - November 1

Dean College 8:30 a.m.

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com General Meeting Thursday, Nov. 1 Join us this Thursday, November 1, at 8:30 a.m. for the FDP general. It will be held in the Dean College Campus Center, Campanella Room (across from the Dining Center). See the agenda below. Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109  Connect with us:

Franklin Downtown Partnership, 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today

MBTA: Wednesday: Commuter Rail notice for Red Sox parade

Due to the Red Sox parade, heavy ridership is expected throughout the day. Bikes, including folding bikes, will not be allowed on board due to the anticipated crowds. 

Passengers are encouraged to take early trains and use high capacity parking lots.

Service changes like express trains making additional stops or trains running express after reaching capacity are possible. Subscribe to T-Alerts or follow the commuter rail on Twitter @MBTA_CR for updates.

Roundtrip tickets can be purchased in advance using the mTicket app.

Last Updated: Oct 30 2018 05:38 PM

MBTA: Wednesday: Commuter Rail notice for Red Sox parade

For information on the Franklin line visit  https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable