Sunday, January 6, 2019

FPAC Presents "You Can't Take It With You" - Jan 25-27

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents You Can't Take It with You January 25-27 at THE BLACK BOX

Written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, You Can't Take It With You is a classic comedy about a family living “to the beat of a different drum”. Set in the summer of 1938 in New York City, the play introduces audiences to the freethinking Sycamore family and the mishaps and mayhem that ensue when their daughter's fiancĂ© brings his conservative, straight-laced parents to dinner on the wrong night. 
You Can't Take It With You
You Can't Take It With You

You Can’t Take It with You won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the screen adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.

For tickets:
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1192


In the News: table games make a return; state revenue collection declines in Dec

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

Table games make a return

"In a garage dubbed “The Ice House,” NewsMan the gnome was attempting to prove his worth as part of the guild. To prove his worthiness, NewsMan started a brawl in the guild’s courtyard. 
He managed to knock out Buckland Rogers, the human fighter, but soon met his match against a mysterious cloaked figure. Meanwhile Faelar the Unwanted, a half-giant, cast a few spells that fell weak in comparison to Morduso, warlock of the Raven Queen’s attacks from above. 
In other words, Dungeons & Dragons - aka, “D & D” - along with countless other table games, are back and more popular than ever, drawing people old and young away from the game consoles and into their own imaginations. 
According to David Gallagher, senior director of communications at online startup Kickstarter, board games are definitely back in style. Independent companies have found Kickstarter to be a prized outlet to release their unique games and help fund the manufacturing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190106/table-games-make-grand-return

Pete’s Nerds Emporium has opened on Main St in Franklin
Pete’s Nerds Emporium has opened on Main St in Franklin



More signs of a downturn appear

"Add plunging state tax collections to a list of concerns that has recently grown to include a volatile stock market, rising interest rates and increasing talk about when the next recession may hit. 
Tax receipts for December alone missed the monthly benchmark by more than half a billion dollars, erasing months of above-benchmark collections and leaving collections $108 million behind their targets midway through fiscal 2019, according to data released late Friday by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 
Income tax estimated payments totaled just $121 million for December, $542 million or 81.7 percent below benchmark and $575 million or 82.6 percent below December 2017. 
“We underestimated the shift of estimated payments from December into January. Early indications are that other states may be having a similar experience,” Revenue Commissioner Christopher Harding said in a statement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190106/states-tax-haul-plunges-in-december

Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership!


Here We Grow Again!
The Franklin Downtown Partnership had another record year with more than 40 new members! 

Please check the membership list to make sure we have your business name listed correctly. If you are not listed, please contact the FDP office. Also please check the FDP website to make sure we have your link listed. Membership invoices will be going out this month (January) via email for 2019. 

Thank you all for your continued community involvement in making Franklin a special place to live, work and play. 

Please invite someone you think would benefit by joining the FDP. You are always welcome to bring visitors to our general meeting so they can see what the FDP is all about.
Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership!

The Downtown Partnership has memberships for individual residents (that is how I am a member). You do not need to be a business to be a member!


https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html


"We no longer are a nation of joiners, we are a nation of shoppers"

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


Seeking to boost to civics education

"Policymakers want to enhance civics education from kindergarten to college, and educators say civic engagement by students could be a way to learn by doing. 
A 2017 national report by Tufts University found that high school civics education has been stagnant since the 1990s. Test scores for eighth grade National Assessment of Education Progress in U.S. history and civics have either increased moderately or stayed the same since 1998. The proportion of students taking AP courses on American history has declined, although the proportion of students studying government and politics has increased, the study found. 
But test scores are not the only indicators of declining civics education. The Tufts report says Americans have become increasingly isolated and less likely to participate in churches, unions and political parties, which have historically encouraged civic engagement. 
A more alarming phenomenon, indicated by the title of the report, is “civic deserts” — communities where people have no opportunities for civic engagement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190105/state-policymakers-seek-boost-to-civics-education

The direct link to the report
https://www.ncoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017CHIUpdate-FINAL-small.pdf


direct link to the report
direct link to the report


Saturday, January 5, 2019

Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 8, 2019

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 8 at the Franklin Senior Center10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038.

This will be first of two meetings to review the Capital budget. You may recall that these capital budget hearings are usually held in November/December. The hearings are late this year as the State was late to certify the free cash total for Franklin.

Free cash is neither free nor cash. It is the accounting result of under spending what was authorized for the prior year's budget expenses, and receiving more revenue than had been forecast in the FY 2018 budget. 

Franklin has historically used the free cash amount to build the individual stabilization funds (general, recreation, fire truck, etc.) and to fund the capital needs for the Town departments.


Capital budget presentations are scheduled from

  • Fire
  • Police
  • Public Works
  • Sewer Enterprise
  • Water Enterprise


On Tuesday, Jan 15, capital budget presentations are scheduled from


  • Schools
  • Facilities
  • Technology
  • Recreation

After hearing all the presentations, the Finance Committee will vote to recommend some or all of these (with or without modifications) to be brought to the Town Council for their review and vote.

The complete agenda documents for the Jan 8 and 15 meetings can be found on the Town of Franklin pages

Jan 8
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-08_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Jan 15
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2019-01-15_finance_committee_agenda.pdf


Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 8, 2019
Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 8, 2019

Franklin Library: Don Wilding's "Rum Running and Prohibition on Cape Cod "- Jan 8

Don Wilding's presentation on "Rum Running and Prohibition on Cape Cod"  is scheduled for the Franklin Public Library on Tuesday, January 8, 6:30 PM.


Don Wilding's "Rum Running and Prohibition on Cape Cod "- Jan 8
Don Wilding's "Rum Running and Prohibition on Cape Cod "- Jan 8

For more about Cape Cod historian Don Wilding https://www.dwcapecod.com/

Cape Cod historian Don Wilding
Cape Cod historian Don Wilding

FHS boys and girls Indoor Track teams post wins over King Philip

Hockomock Indoor Track & Field League
Varsity Meet #3 - 1/4/2019
Reggie Lewis Center
Dual Meet Scores - Through Event 42

Women
Oliver Ames 52.00 - 48.00 Attleboro
Sharon 75.00 - 23.00 Canton
North Attleborough 75.00 - 21.00 Foxborough
Franklin 58.00  - 42.00 King Philip
Mansfield 53.00  - 47.00 Taunton
Milford 74.00  - 25.00 Stoughton

Men
Attleboro 57.00  - 43.00 Oliver Ames
Sharon 73.00  - 27.00 Canton
North Attleborough 75.00  - 25.00 Foxborough
Franklin 67.33  - 32.66 King Philip
Mansfield 72.00  - 28.00 Taunton
Milford 53.50  - 46.50 Stoughton


Congrats to Tyler Brogan for breaking the school record in the 1000m at 2:35.56
Congrats to Tyler Brogan for breaking the school record in the 1000m at 2:35.56 






The individual FHS results by events boys first, then girls.



Dual meet results
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/351369/results

All results
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=351369&show=all

FHS gymnastics, girls basketball, boys and girls swim teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS sports action on Friday, Jan 4, 2019

Girls Basketball = Mansfield, 47 @ Franklin, 60 – Final
– Bea Bondhus scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Panthers in a crucial divisional matchup. Franklin also got 20 points off the bench to hold off the Hornets, who limited Ali Brigham’s scoring with a box-and-one defense. She finished with six points and 12 rebounds. Megan O’Connell stepped in to add seven points and four other players added six apiece for the Panthers.

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 107 @ Attleboro, 63 – Final
– Franklin junior Pat Juszczyszyn, junior Connor Eck, and sophomore James Wu each had an individual win as the Panthers earned a division win in the pool.

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 94 @ Attleboro, 76 – Final
– The Panthers swept the 100 fly and the 500 free to pull away from the Bombardiers in the pool on Friday afternoon. Senior Katie Cashin was a double winner for Franklin while junior Katie McGuire had one individual win. For Attleboro, liz Saltz won both 50 and 100 free, qualifying for states in both races, Jackie Lynch-Bartek won both the 200 free and 100 breaststroke, qualifying for sectionals in the 200 free, Tiffany Chin qualified for sectionals with a win in the 100 backstroke, and Ella Lynch-Bartek placed second in both the 100 free and 100 backstroke, qualifying for sectionals in the 100 free.

Gymnastics = Franklin, 139.5 @ Norton, 124.1 – Final
– Mia Lizotte took the all-around title with a score of 36.55 and Kate Rudolph took second with a score of 34.8 to help the Panthers earn the non-league win. Lizotte won all four events (9.3 on vault, 8.7 on bars, 9.45 on beam, and 9.1 on the floor), whole Rudolph finished third on the vault (8.9) and the bars (8.3) and second on the beam (9.0) and the floor (8.6). Emma Owens (9.05) finished second on the vault, scored 8.3 on the bars, and 8.5 on the floor. Sadie Rondeau was second on the bars with an 8.4, third on the beam with 8.65, and fourth on floor with an 8.35. Lexi Lupien scored 8.4 on the vault and 8.5 on the beam.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-04-19/


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 57 @ Mansfield, 59 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com provides the game recap:
"Mansfield sophomore Matty Boen has witnessed dozens of Mansfield and Franklin clashes from the stands, watching older brothers Michael and Max dawn the Hornet uniform against the rival Panthers. 
Boen got a little closer to the action last season, watching all three meetings between the teams from the bench as a reserve. 
Friday night was finally his turn to become part of the rivalry. 
Boen came out on fire, scoring 11 of his career-high 19 points in the opening quarter, and then coming away with the game-sealing steal in the final seconds of the game to help the Hornets secure a 59-57 win over the Panthers."

Continue reading the recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/boen-sparks-mansfield-boys-baskeball-close-win-franklin/

For a photo gallery of the game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Mansfield-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-04-19/

Chris Edgehill in action against Mansfield (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Chris Edgehill in action against Mansfield (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)


Mile Twelve Bluegrass Concert at OCC Coffeehouse in Wrentham, Jan. 12, 2019


OCC COFFEEHOUSE
OCC COFFEEHOUSE
OCC COFFEEHOUSE


Original Congregational Church
1 East Street, Wrentham, MA 02093
Phone: 508-384-3110





MILE TWELVE
BLUEGRASS CONCERT
at OCC Coffeehouse
Saturday, Jan. 12, 7:30 PM

Mile Twelve Bluegrass Concert at OCC Coffeehouse in Wrentham, Jan. 12, 2019Only a little more than a week to go before Mile Twelve's performance in Wrentham. 

Don't miss this great group! The winners of IBMA's 2017 Momentum award are now nominated for 2018 Emerging Artist of the year, and they show no signs of slowing. 

Their debut full-length album Onwards, produced by Stephen Mougin, was met with critical acclaim and earned the band time at the top of the bluegrass charts as well as an IBMA nomination for 2018 Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year. John Lawless of Bluegrass Today says, "The Boston-based group has been making noise in bluegrass with their virtuosic approach to the music, clever songwriting and arrangements, a nose-to-the-grindstone attitude, and a youthful energy that appeals to all age groups. All of that shows on their new release, Onwards."

Mile Twelve is a fresh, hard driving young band beautifully walking the line between original and traditional bluegrass. Band members are Evan Murphy on guitar, David Benedict on mandolin, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on fiddle, Nate Sabat on bass, and BB Bowness on banjo. Fast gaining recognition for their outstanding performances in bluegrass and folk circles, the band members write and perform captivating songs and daring instrumental pieces from diverse influences. Banjo luminary Tony Trischka says, "Mile Twelve is carrying the bluegrass tradition forward with creativity and integrity."

Paul Schiminger, President of The IBMA says, "What I and so many others love about Mile Twelve is their musicianship, material, and energy. Their sound is fresh and innovative, yet rooted in a solid foundation of bluegrass. They move easily among traditional bluegrass classics, terrific original material, and interpretations of pop music classics, while knocking you over with their strong instrumentals and harmonies." Tim O'Brien calls them "a group to watch in the coming decade."

Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, available at the church office, 508-384-3110, or at www.musicatocc.org. The event will be in Fellowship Hall at the back of the church with entry from the parking lot behind the church. Parking is available behind the church and in the lot across the street. For more information and to be added to the mailing list, visit the website or contact Ken Graves, 508-384-8084, occmusic99@gmail.com.

UPCOMING SHOWS

AT OCC COFFEEHOUSE (Tickets now available for all shows on website. All shows are general admission seating, so arrive early for good seats.):

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, Don White, a must-see storyteller-comedian-author-troubadour-folk singer-songwriter. With Mike Agranoff opening.
Saturday, March 2, 2019, Fellswater, Boston's Celtic Music Ensemble. Back by popular demand.
Friday, April 5, 2019, Tom Rush, folk music icon, with Matt Nakoa.
Saturday, April 27, 2019, Bill & Kate Isles, an acoustic singer/songwriter duo based in Duluth, Minnesota. Audiences feel they are listening to stories of the own lives, told by two of their best friends.


See website for complete OCC Coffeehouse season schedule, more details, and for ordering tickets.



Quincy-based Stop & Shop announces acquisition

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

Stop & Shop announces acquisition

"Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced today that it has agreed to acquire Bethpage, New York.-based King Kullen Grocery Co. Inc. for an undisclosed price. 
The agreement includes King Kullen’s 32 supermarkets, five Wild by Nature stores and the use of its corporate office in Bethpage. 
“King Kullen is a well-respected grocery chain in the Long Island market that has an 88-year tradition of excellent customer service,” said Mark McGowan, president of Stop & Shop, in a statement. “We look forward to bringing our quality, selection and value to more communities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190104/stop-amp-shop-to-acquire-long-island-grocery-chain

For more about Stop & Shop visit  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_%26_Shop

Quincy-based Stop & Shop announces acquisition
Quincy-based Stop & Shop announces acquisition

Friday, January 4, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 4 - THU Jan 10

Friday, January 4
10:00am
 Knitting Group
Saturday, January 5
10:00am
 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
10:30am
 Baby Sensory!
11:00am
 Franklin Library: Staff available to talk Survey
3:00pm
 Franklin Library: Staff available to talk survey
6:30pm
 Electric Youth 2019
8:00pm
 Joe Crookston - Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
8:30pm
 Electric Youth 2019
Sunday, January 6
1:00pm
 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
Monday, January 7
10:30am
 Move Along
11:00am
 Toddler Playgroup
3:00pm
 Monday Crafternoons
3:30pm
 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids
7:00pm
 Friends of the Franklin Library Meeting
Tuesday, January 8
9:30am
 Cool Cruisers
10:30am
 Get Ready for Kindergarten
6:30pm
 Don Wilding's Cape Cod
7:00pm
 School Committee
7:00pm
 Friends of the Franklin Library Book Group
7:30pm
 Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting
Wednesday, January 9
10:30am
 Terrific Toddlers
11:00am
 Toddler Playgroup
4:00pm
 Construction Junction
6:30pm
 Teen Advisory Board
7:00pm
 The SAFE COMMUNITY Forum
7:00pm
 Town Council Meeting
7:30pm
 LET'S LAUGH TODAY
Thursday, January 10
9:30am
 Baby Tummy Time
10:30am
 Story & Craft
3:30pm
 Discovery Workshop
4:00pm
 Fandom Thursdays

For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
http://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 4 - THU Jan 10
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 4 - THU Jan 10

Jazz Brunch: The Mark White Octet - Jan 13

The Mark White Octet returns to THE BLACK BOX on Sunday, January 13 for a jazz brunch! 

The Mark White Octet is a jazz group dedicated to swinging, precision ensemble performances of charts written by stellar jazz arrangers that feature the exceptional instrumental/improvisational skills of all the members. 
Mark White Octet
Mark White Octet

The group is based on the original Dave Pell Octet that featured many of the West Coast’s finest jazz instrumentalists from the 50’s and 60’s. Featuring a West Coast Swing with an East Coast Vibe, the band includes Mark White (guitar), Scott Deogburn (piano), Arnie Krakowsky (tenor sax), Ken Reid (baritone sax), Rick Hammett (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jon Garniss (trombone), Mark Poniatowski (bass), and Kenny Hadley (drums). 

Each is a dedicated jazz artist bringing superlative instrumental, interpretive, and ensemble skills to the group as well as a wealth of performance experience in the theatre, classical, and commercial music genres. 

All octet members are professional jazz educators and several hold positions currently at leading institutions. Brunch begins at 11:45 a.m., with music beginning at noon.

For tickets
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1217

BFCCPS: Join us for an Enrollment Open House!

Enrollment applications for the 2019-2020 school year at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School are currently being accepted. We would like to encourage all interested families to join us for an Enrollment Information Session to learn more about our school community.

Two sessions will be hosted at 201 Main Street in Franklin. The first is on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 10 am to noon and the next will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 10 am to noon. Please note that attendance at these events is purely optional and no RSVP is required to attend.

You'll hear from the Board of Trustees, Members of the BFCCPS School Administration, and Faculty as well as Parents at our school. These open houses are a great way to learn more about the school's mission, and see what makes BFCCPS such a special place!

Please note that school visits are not available during school hours so these enrollment sessions are truly the best way to learn more about BFCCPS before the annual enrollment lottery.

For the 2019-2020 School year, BFCCPS will offer 302 new openings. The BFCCPS Expansion is the best chance for local applicants to secure enrollment at our school!

We will be adding two new classrooms for Grades Kindergarten through Grade 5 as we open our brand new 72,000 square foot school. 92 spaces will be offered for Kindergarten and 40 new spaces will be offered in all grades Grades One through Five. Applications for Grade Six through Eight will be accepted as openings occur or will receive a wait list position. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Coordinator Mrs. Joanne Basile for assistance.

BFCCPS: Join us for an Enrollment Open House!
BFCCPS: Join us for an Enrollment Open House!

Learn more on this BFCCPS Expansion Brief.

Want to apply now? You can complete an online application. You can also click here to print an application to mail into us, or drop by at 201 Main Street in Franklin, MA between 8 and 2:30 to fill out an application in person.

Online version

Print version