In the News: Proposed June primary would benefit MA voters; Franklin residents part of Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team

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

Proposed June primary would benefit Massachusetts voters

"Last year’s Sept. 4 primary election was about two weeks earlier than is typical for Massachusetts, moved up so that it would not conflict with Jewish holidays. But despite the alteration, it was still the sixth-latest primary election in the United States. 

Senator Becca Rausch wants to change that. 

The first-term legislator filed a bill that would move the state primary up to June, and she says that the switch would help voters become better engaged and would allow the general election to be more competitive — not to mention the convenience of avoiding the scheduling pitfalls that come in September
“The primary date right now is very challenging,” said Rausch, a Needham Democrat who unseated former Sen. Richard Ross of Wrentham last November. 

“I think we saw those reasons pop up in 2018 in a pretty obvious way.” 

The senator represents precincts 1 to 4 and 7 in Franklin, Millis, precincts A to C, I and J in Needham, Norfolk, Plainville, precincts B, F, and G of Wellesley, Wrentham, ward 1, 2 and 3a of Attleboro, North Attleborough, precincts 6, 7, 9 and 10 of Natick, Sherborn and Wayland."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190218/state-senator-rausch-june-primary-would-benefit-massachusetts-voters

Senator Rebecca L. Rausch Democrat - Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex

Franklin residents part of Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team

"Franklin residents will run to conquer cancer as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in the 123rd Boston Marathon on April 15. 

Franklin residents participating include: Kerry Cameron, Catherine Cameron, Stephen Rondeau and Eileen Wallace. 

Along with more than 500 Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge teammates from across the United States and around the world, they will run Massachusetts’ historic marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston to raise $6 million for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

This year marks the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team’s 30th annual running in the Boston Marathon. All funds raised by DFMC goes to Dana-Farber’s Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research that supports promising science research in its earliest stages. The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge has raised nearly $93 million to date."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190218/strongfranklin-residents-to-participate-in-boston-marathon-strong

To find out more about the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge or donate

https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1110&pg=entry

Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge

THE BLACK BOX to present Musicals, Jazz, Rock Bands, Broadway Stars, and More

THE BLACK BOX, Franklin’s premier concert, theater, and event venue, will present a variety of shows and events throughout the month of March. The month kicks off on March 1 at 7 pm with “A Class Act”- an all-class Franklin High School Reunion. All FHS alumni are welcome and encouraged to invite a group from their class for the event. There will be pizza, snacks, a cash bar, music by FHS and Oskey favorites, Joe Landry's vintage videos and photo archives, a yearbook library, Panthers Pride Sports Corner, and more.

On Saturday, March 2 at 8 pm The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers. Featuring Brian Templeton on vocals and harmonica, Charlie O’Neal on guitar, Rick O’Neal on bass, and Jeff Armstrong on drums, the Boston-based band blends the fine line between rhythm and blues and Americana in a way that makes them anything but average.

The Delta Generators return to THE BLACK BOX with opening act The DayBreakers

The fun continues on Sunday, March 3 when the critically acclaimed Kenny Hadley Big Band returns to the venue for a Big Band Brunch. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson. Brunch begins at 11:45 a.m., with music beginning at noon. Brunch provided by Intermission Cafe includes assorted Mini Quiche, Bacon, Waffles, Fresh Fruit, Yogurt & Granola, Bagels, Muffins, OJ and Coffee. In addition, there is a cash bar with Mimosas and Bloody Marys available.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX’s resident theater company, continues their 2018-2019 season with Seussical, running March 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. Seussical is perfect for the whole family. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.

On Friday, March 22 at 7:30 pm, Electric Youth returns to THE BLACK BOX, offering family entertainment with music for all ages. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including pop, classic rock, contemporary Broadway and country hits. The EY show at THE BLACK BOX will feature fully choreographed performances of One Republic, No Doubt, Guns N’ Roses, Aretha Franklin, The Greatest Showman, Kelly Clarkson, and more.

The month of March wraps up at THE BLACK BOX with Broadway in Franklin on Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm. The magic of 42nd Street comes to Boston's MetroWest suburbs as stars and students share the stage. Don’t miss this Broadway revue of show-stopping numbers from the Great White Way. Broadway In Franklin features Broadway headliners and appearances by musical theater students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and by Electric Youth. Past guest have included Tony nominee Jenn Colella, Sara Jean Ford, Ben Cameron, Tyler Hanes, and Michael James Scott.

For tickets and more information, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin.

50 Years of Sesame Street

American Archive of Public Broadcasting to Preserve 50 Years of Sesame Street Sesame Street is coming to the Library via the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. Nearly 4,500 digitized episodes of the groundbreaking children's TV series have been donated to the archives & will be available on-site. Click here for more information https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-19-019/?loclr=ealn 50 Years of Sesame Street

FHS wrestling takes 6th in D1 at States

The State D1 Wrestling results for Franklin High School


DIVISION 1
Teams
1. Springfield Central – 199.5
2. Mansfield – 113
6. Franklin – 87.5


PLACEMENTS
106 = 6th – Drew DiFilipo, Franklin

113 = 3rd – Jake Carlucci, Franklin

132 = 2nd – Jordan Carlucci, Franklin

160 = 5th – Caleb MacLean, Franklin

170 = 2nd – Dominic Sackley, Franklin


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wrestling-hornets-rocketeers-finalists-at-states/

FHS Panthers

FHS boys and girls basketball teams post wins on Sunday in Tournament action

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Sunday, Feb 17, 2019


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 60 vs. New Bedford, 49 – Final
– Franklin jumped out to a 15-9 lead after the first quarter but struggled over the next two periods, trailing 38-37 going into the fourth quarter. Panther senior Jalen Samuels scored 10 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth to help . Franklin pull away. Samuels also had 13 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks while junior Chris Edgehill added 13 points and five rebounds. The Panthers will take on North Andover on Monday at 2:00 in the final of the Harvey Nasuti Classic.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 46 vs. Belmont, 41 – Final (OT)
– Franklin scored the only five points of the overtime period to pick up a big win against highly-ranked Belmont in the D1 consolation game of the IAABO Board 27 tournament. Ali Brigham scored 15 points to pace the Panthers (and was named to the all-tournament team), while Meghan O’Connell scored 10 and Bea Bondhus added nine. As usual, defense was the key for Franklin, with Erin Quaile and Shannon Gray holding Belmont’s star players to just 15 points combined.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-02-17-19/

photo gallery from the girls basketball game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Franklin-Braintree-Girls-Basketball-2-16-19/i-rr9fHh8

FHS Erin Quaile caught on a pick (HockomockSports.com photo)

Register O'Donnell Reports Real Estate Activity off to a Slow Start in 2019

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Reports Real Estate Activity off to a Slow Start in 2019 Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported an across-the-board decline in real estate activity for Norfolk County in January 2019. Declines were seen in both real estate sales and in mortgage lending. "During the month of January, a total of 1,141 residential and commercial real estate sales were recorded countywide, resulting in a 7% drop from the previous January numbers. Additionally, the total dollar volume of these residential and commercial sales decreased by 42% to $433.7 million year over year, as well as declined in the average sale price by 39% to $662,165. The reductions in total sales numbers and average sales price were skewed by two Quincy commercial sales, one for $80 million and the other for $43 million that took place in January 2018," noted the Register. Lending activity continued to experience declines in January. A total of 1,463 mortgages were filed in January, a 21% reduction from the previous year, along with a 54% decline to $653.9 million for total mortgage recordings. Register O'Donnell stated, "Norfolk County homeowners continue to be very cautious when contemplating whether or nor to borrow money. Factors include decreased mortgage activity caused by lack of available real estate inventory, concern about the direction of mortgage rates and the uncertainty about the state of affairs in Washington D.C." One notable bright spot was the sizeable reduction in Norfolk County foreclosure activity. Foreclosure deed recordings fell 33% for January. The news was even better for Notice to Foreclose Mortgage filings, the first step in the foreclosure process, which declined by a whopping 43%. Register O'Donnell noted, "The foreclosure stats were very encouraging for January. Of course, this is small consolation to those homeowners who are having difficulty paying their mortgage due to economic hardship." The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds continues to partner with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x-376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950. They are available to help anyone who has received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. A third option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Each of these programs is staffed by knowledgeable professionals. Anyone who has received a foreclosure notice should consider availing themselves of these excellent programs. On the consumer protection front, the number of Homestead recordings fell 4% in January from 757 compared to 791 year over year. "A Homestead," stated O'Donnell, "provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I urge homeowners who have not recorded a Homestead to consider this valuable consumer protection tool." In conclusion, Register O'Donnell stated, "Without question January was a disappointing month for real estate activity in Norfolk County. Traditionally, winter months like January do not exhibit great real estate numbers. Lack of available inventory continues to be a serious issue. This shortage of housing stock is especially impacting first-time home buyers. While the Federal Reserve has indicated a willingness to reduce the number of interest rate increases, consumers are still being cautious when it comes to borrowing money. Hopefully, we will see improvements in the real estate climate going forward." 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/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in 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 www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone 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: https://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 Real Estate Activity off to a Slow Start in 2019

There is "Always Hope" a sober house for women

She wrote me to say: "So if any Franklin residents have daughters, sisters, mothers that need a sober house and want to be close to home this is a perfect fit!"

And that would be? https://alwayshopesoberhouse.org/

What makes it special? "This is a room at Always Hope. It’s called Caroline’s room and she was from Franklin.


I did not doubt her, and sure enough on the About page:

"The first house is located at #1 Franklin Avenue and called “Sweet Caroline’s House”. This house is named after Caroline D’Amelio, who struggled with an eating disorder and addiction. Caroline was a vibrant young lady who had an energy for life that was surpassed by few. She was active, fun, energetic, but most importantly kind. Her kindness was evident in her beautiful smile and in her desire for others to be happy. 

Caroline would never want to see anyone in need and would always be there to help if she could. During Caroline’s struggle with addiction she was at her best at the Windhaven sober house in Dallas, Texas, where she found her faith and led a productive life for over a year. It is in Caroline’s memory and loving spirit that this house is dedicated."

Visit the web page to donate, or to apply for residence
https://alwayshopesoberhouse.org/

There is "Always Hope" a sober house for women