Thursday, April 4, 2019

FHS boys lacrosse - 2019 Hockomock League Preview

HockomockSports.com Staff has published their 2019 HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE BOYS LACROSSE PREVIEW. We share the FHS portion here. The link to the full league preview is located below.


FRANKLIN
2018 Record: 16-4
2018 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinals
Coach: Lou Verrochi

"Franklin has had a lot of success in recent years, and that trend looks like it will continue in 2019.

“The outlook for this season is very good,” said Franklin head coach Lou Verrochi. “It could be one of the best teams we’ve had at FHS.”

The reason for the high expectations is the amount of talent returning from last year’s Kelley-Rex team that reached the D1 South Quarterfinals. Although the Panthers graduated two-time All-American and two-time HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Eric Civetti and starting goalie Connor O’Rourke, Franklin has experience and talent back at each position.

It all will start with senior Jacob Alexander, who has been arguably the best faceoff man in the entire state over the past couple of seasons. Alexander’s ability to consistently win draws gives Franklin a huge advantage and sets the offense in motion. Patrick Morrison, a second-team All-American selection last season, will anchor the defensive unit for the Panthers this year along with Will Harvey, who was one of the most underrated players last year. Will Davis, who saw time in net some last year, is set to take over in the cage and could be one of the top netminders in the league.

The Franklin midfield will consist of Nitin Chaudhury – one of the hardest working athletes in any sport – along with Owen Palmieri and Ben Kolb, who has really impressed in scrimmages during the preseason. Franklin’s attack could be among the most dangerous in the league this year with three legitimate options. Jake Davis (32 goals, 23 assists), Matt Lazzaro (30 points), and Ben Greco are all unselfish but can also finish."


Read the full boys lacrosse season preview for the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-hockomock-league-boys-lacrosse-preview/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

HMEA 5K: Have you registered yet?



HMEA 5K: Have you registered yet?
Sunday, May 19, 2019

Dell | 50 Constitution Blvd., Franklin, MA

8:30 am - Registration Begins
10:00 am - Race and Walk Start
Help us celebrate the ABLE in all of us!
Have you registered yet?
You don't want to miss out on all of the exciting things that happen at HMEA's incredABLE 5k. When you register to walk or run you will also have the option to open a fundraising page to ask your family and friends to support your incredABLE 5k journey. Don't forget that you can also join or form a team - get your whole family to join you. It's a great opportunity to get outside and spent some time with your family and friends for a great cause.



We Need Your Help
We Need Your Help!
We can't pull off this event without our incredABLE volunteers!

You'll get an incredABLE volunteer t-shirt, a volunteer gift and a book of 6 Dream Raffle tickets for the gift of your time.

Click here to sign up
Do something incredABLE!
HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038

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Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.
Try it free today

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Tracy Grammer with Jim Henry - April 13 - at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse




Tracy Grammer with Jim Henry, Eric Lee opens
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Tracy Grammer with Jim Henry
Tracy Grammer with Jim Henry
and special guest Eric Lee
Apr 13 - 8 PM - $20
Tracy Grammer returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse stage on Saturday, April 13th at 8PM.  Called  "a musician and singer of dazzling versatility", Tracy Grammer is among contemporary folk music's most beloved artists. Renowned for her pure voice, deft guitar and violin work, and masterful storytelling, Grammer has recorded and performed with Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter, headlined several of the nation's top folk festivals, including Philadelphia Folk Festival and Falcon Ridge, and enjoyed 12 consecutive years as one of folk radio's 50 top-played artists, both solo and with the late Dave Carter.  She is currently on tour celebrating her eleventh release, LOW TIDE, which is the first of her albums to showcase her original songs and has already won numerous awards.   http://tracygrammer.com/

"Her pure voice conveys the simple truths of these songs; her gifts as a musician are like that of a painter who is a master of chiaroscuro, offering light and shadow at every turn." - Mary Chapin Carpenter

Tracy will be accompanied by world class guitarist/dobro/mandolin player Jim Henry.  http://www.jimhenry.net/
Western MA singer, fiddler, guitarist Eric Lee
Western MA singer, fiddler, guitarist Eric Lee will open the show.  Eric shapes songs with stand-alone melodies and rich musical backdrops. From the personal to the sublime, they range from tales of honkey-tonk heartache to anthems of social consciousness and are told with a language of poetic and raw honesty. http://eric-lee-music.com/
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.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.
Upcoming Shows
May 11    Ordinary Elephant

Sep 7      Abbie Gardner
Sep 21    Ellis Paul

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

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FHS girls lacrosse - 2019 Hockomock League Preview

HockomockSports.com Staff has published their 2019 HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW. We share the FHS portion here. The link to the full league preview is located below


FRANKLIN
2018 Record: 14-6
2018 Finish: Reached D1 East Semifinal
Coach: Kristin Igoe Guarino

"It is a sign of just how far the Franklin program has come that being knocked out in last season’s East semifinal could almost be considered a disappointment. After winning the East title in 2016 and 2017, the Panthers come into the spring with another roster loaded with talent and experience and a schedule loaded with the top teams in the state to prep for a deep tournament run as well as trying to make it eight straight league titles.

Senior Annie Walsh will be the focal point for the Panthers again this year and the player that the offense typically runs through. Her sister Erin, a junior attacker, is one of the best finishers in the league and gives Franklin a dynamic one-two punch on offense. Junior Kelsey MacCallum adds another talented attacker to the forward line, while senior Hailey Toolin adds versatility as either a midfielder or defender and junior Alex Field will be a key piece of a defensive unit that was by far the best in the Hock last season. 

Junior goalie Gianna Cameron is another reason for the Panthers having such a strong defensive record after two straight seasons on the HockomockSports.com First Team. The Panthers haven’t lost a league game since 2012 (more than 70 straight wins) and have added an exciting freshman class with loads of potential, including six players making the instant jump to varsity.

“We have a ton of versatility where a lot of different players can play all positions. I am excited about the athleticism and skill level of our team,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. “We have a ton of players with high level stick work and IQ that are capable of scoring and feeding. I am looking forward to us becoming a team with a high powered offense!”


Read the full girls lacrosse season preview for the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-hockomock-league-girls-lacrosse-preview/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

FHS' Haba among HockomockSports.com's "Baseball: Ten Players to Watch for 2019"

HockomockSports.com has published their "Baseball: Ten Players to Watch for 2019" which features one player from FHS.


ALEX HABA, SENIOR – FRANKLIN

"The Franklin Panthers have had a lot of success over the past two seasons, and one constant in that time period has been shortstop Alex Haba. Haba burst onto the scene as a sure-handed shortstop during his sophomore year and has been one of the best defensive players at any positions since then. 

At one of the most important spots on the field, Haba routinely makes difficult plays look easy. And over the past two years, he’s really improved on the offensive end. Last season, Haba batted .328 during the regular season with 22 hits, 12 RBI and 15 runs scored. Haba will be a leader for the Panthers this year, both on and off the field, and could be one of the best overall players in the league."

Read the full listing of baseball players to watch 
https://hockomocksports.com/baseball-ten-players-to-watch-for-2019/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

FHS girls lacrosse and girls tennis teams drop matches on Tuesday

Via HockomockSportswe share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, Apr 2, 2019

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 10 vs. Westwood, 14 – Final
– Franklin held an 8-5 lead at halftime but a strong second half from the Wolverines gave Westwood the win. Westwood knotted the score 10-10 with just over 10 minutes left. After taking the lead, Franklin pulled the goalie to try and tie the game but the Wolverines cashed in for some empty net goals. Erin Walsh had four goals and two assists to pace Franklin’s offense while Stella Regan scored twice and had one assist. Freshman Kate O’Rourke had a strong game in the midfield with nine draw controls.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 0 vs. Hopkinton, 5 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-04-02-19/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Brigham, Bondus, Quaile, Leighton recognized for HockomockSports Girls Basketball Awards


2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year

Ali Brigham has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year (HockomockSports.com photo)
Ali Brigham has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball
Player of the Year (HockomockSports.com photo)
"Franklin junior center Ali Brigham has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the eighth recipient in the site’s history and the first player from Franklin to earn this honor. Brigham, a three-year starter, led the Panthers to their first Kelley-Rex division crown since 2013 and the program’s first-ever sectional title.

“Ali had one of the most dominant seasons we’ve seen,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She was in complete control on both ends of the floor, scoring points, grabbing rebounds, and guarding the rim. Everyone in the gym knew where the ball was going but were still unable to stop her once she got it. It’s scary to think (for opponents anyway) that she’s got one more year to go and she’s still developing new parts to her game.”

Brigham averaged 25.6 points per game and reached the 1,000-point mark for her career as a junior. She also pulled down more than 17 rebounds and blocked more than six shots per night. Another season like this one and the George Washington University-commit would become the program’s all-time leading scorer. Brigham was also chosen as the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches and was a finalist for the Gatorade Player of the Year."

Continue reading at link below:

First Team = Ali Brigham – Franklin – Center

"Franklin junior center Ali Brigham continued her remarkable three-year varsity career by helping the Panthers win a league title for the first time since 2013 and claim the program’s first-ever sectional title. Brigham averaged 25.6 points per game this season, reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career. She also averaged 17 rebounds and nearly seven blocks per game, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor all winter, and was named the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches and a finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year. Franklin coach John Leighton said, “Ali is a one of a kind player who nightly faced double teams and found a way to be prolific while also playing team basketball.”

Third Team = Bea Bondhus – Franklin – Guard

Bea Bondhus (HockomockSports.com photo)
Bea Bondhus (HockomockSports.com photo)
"Franklin senior Bea Bondhus wrapped up her career by helping the Panthers bring home a Kelley-Rex division title for the first time since 2013 and clinch the program’s first-ever sectional crown. Bondhus was one of the most consistent shooters and guards in the league this season, averaging right around 10 points per game and making 56 threes overall. She shot 33 percent from beyond the arc and 81 percent from the line, and always seemed to come through in the clutch, including a strong fourth quarter in Franklin’s come from behind win against Westford Academy. Franklin coach John Leighton said of the Springfield College-commit, “A consummate leader, Bea helped to turn this program around and lead us to new heights.”

Basketball Defensive Player of the Year

Franklin sophomore guard Erin Quaile
Franklin sophomore guard Erin Quaile
 (HockomockSports.com photo)

"Franklin sophomore guard Erin Quaile has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year. Quaile is the sixth player to receive this honor in the seven years that it has been given out and the first underclassman to win it.

Quaile was a dominant presence on the defensive end, shutting down some of the top guards in the Hockomock League and chasing players off the three-point line. She finished the season with 52 steals, 87 assists, and 70 defensive rebounds from her point guard position. Quaile’s ability to shut down opposing guards helped the Panthers win the league title, the Div. 1 Central title, and hold opponents to the third-lowest points per game in the league."


COACH OF THE YEAR – JOHN LEIGHTON, FRANKLIN

JOHN LEIGHTON, FRANKLIN
JOHN LEIGHTON, FRANKLIN
(HockomockSports.com photo)
"Franklin head coach John Leighton has been named the 2019 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. Leighton guided the Panthers to their first Kelley-Rex division title since 2013, to the program’s first-ever sectional title, and was an overtime period away from reaching the state championship game.

Leighton helmed the Panthers to a near-perfect 15-1 record in the Hockomock League, including a season sweep of title contender Mansfield and a win against Davenport division champion Foxboro. Franklin battled back to beat Westford Academy in the opening round of the playoffs, after a switch of defenses in the second half, pulled away from Concord-Carlisle to reach a sectional final for the fourth time under Leighton, and then beat undefeated Wachusett with a buzzer-beater to become Div. 1 Central champ."

For all the girls basketball awards
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/girls-basketball/2018-2019/


In the News: MBTA looking for better service metric; Finding a baseball team to fill McCoy Stadium

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

MBTA looking for better service metric
"MBTA officials plan to develop a new way to measure service reliability on public transit, saying the metric they have used since 2016 does not fully account for certain types of delays that riders experience. 
The current on-time performance rates track how many passengers waited an amount of time equal to or less than what the MBTA sets as the expected headway between trains. However, MBTA General Manager Jeff Gonneville said that figure fails to cover delays once passengers are already on board and additional wait time if a train is too full to accept new riders. 
“If the trip time is delayed like the Red Line was (Monday) morning, some customers, their initial wait was less than the head time, but they sat on the train,” Gonneville said at a Monday meeting of the Fiscal and Management Control Board. “So we need a second on-time performance metric to capture when people’s trips are running longer than we want them to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/mbta-new-system-to-gauge-reliability


"Finding a baseball team to fill the ballpark"
"Wanted: Professional sports team (or teams) to fill beloved old stadium and bring joy back to down-on-its luck Pawtucket. 
Baseball, soccer, lacrosse — city and state officials are open to all types of athletic competition, as well as music concerts, as their search for new tenants to fill McCoy Stadium and replace the Pawtucket Red Sox begins in earnest. 
On behalf of the city, the state Commerce Corporation on Tuesday morning went out to bid for “individuals, firms and/or organizations who are interested in using, redeveloping and operating McCoy Stadium.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/ri-pawtucket-seek-new-team-to-fill-void-at-mccoy-stadium

What is next for McCoy Stadium?
What is next for McCoy Stadium?

Let’s Laugh Today on Wednesday, April 10

Laugh "for the health of it” at Let’s Laugh Today on Wednesday, April 10 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin!


Let’s Laugh Today on Wednesday, April 10
Let’s Laugh Today on
Wednesday, April 10
Laughter Yoga is a body/mind practice for well-being that involves deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 


Let’s Laugh Today
Let’s Laugh Today
Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! They laugh together on every second Wednesday of each month. 

There is a $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Master Trainers, Bill and Linda Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. 

If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.



Reminder: Franklin Art Association - Meeting - Apr 3

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 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 watercolor demonstration by Joyce McJilton Dwyer, an artist with thirty years' experience working in watercolors and drawings.

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

watercolor by Joyce McJilton Dwyer
watercolor by Joyce McJilton Dwyer


The meeting will also address information about 2 upcoming exhibition opportunities one during ArtWeek and one in June.

Attached you will find a copy of the prospectus for the ArtWeek Small Works Exhibition & Sale to be held at the Hayward Manor on Saturday, April 27 from 4-8 PM. Members are invited to exhibit 3 framed pieces 11x14" or smaller in addition to bins work. In order to participate members are asked to please complete this form by Thursday April 18 at midnight. (If you have technical difficulties with this form you may email your entry to FAAsecretary@gmail.com.)

Prospectus Form
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sKMkvZcrvZm_SMdIBc5y13hKhCb9rpYoYZ_kfqzIIsE/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecD1AYXd2iEkMsH-grwyNWVn9uJM0Ag-G0XJu-jtZIFTjY7Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
Also the Franklin library is looking to have an artist host an evening art workshop on Mon, April 29. Interested people can contact the library director, Felicia Oti, at foti@minlib.net.

Finally our Spring Show will be held Friday, June 14 in conjunction with the Franklin Downtown Partnership's Strawberry Stroll members are need to help hang, man and tear down the show etc.

Thanks and hope to see you at Wednesday's meeting!

School Start Times proposal gets petition "In Opposition"

Along with the news of the proposal on School Start Times, there is a petition to gather names against the proposal.
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/franklin-residents-opposed-to-the-proposed-school?

There is also a Facebook group to discuss ways to plan against the proposal.
In Opposition to the School Start Time Change Proposal (Franklin, MA)

or
https://www.facebook.com/groups/333799380817742/


School Start Times Background Information:

The School Start Times presentation to the School Committee was March 26, 2019. The audio of the presentation was posted here on Wednesday:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/fm-161-school-start-times-report-32619.html

The Summary document was released on Friday and published here on Saturday, March 30
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/school-start-times-advisory-committee.html

The recap of the full School Committee meeting was posted here on Sunday
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/school-committee-recap-march-26-2019.html

Additional info on the work of the School Start Times Advisory Committee 
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-start-times-advisory-committee

School Start Times Advisory Committee
School Start Times Advisory Committee

Try Music Together FREE - Friday - April 5

Join us this Friday April 5 and see what all the smiles are about! 

Try Music Together FREE this Friday at Franklin Music, Movement & Mindfulness 10 AM. 

Sign up required- please email jennifer@swalley.net

Try Music Together FREE - Friday - April 5
Try Music Together FREE - Friday - April 5

In the News: Supermarket group backs plastic bag ban

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

"A group representing supermarkets and other food stores offered its conditional support Tuesday to a bill that if approved would make Massachusetts the latest U.S. state to outlaw single-use plastic shopping bags viewed by environmentalists as a major source of pollution and a grave threat to marine wildlife. 
The proposal would prohibit retailers from providing customers with single-use carryout bags at the point of purchase. Stores would be required to make recyclable paper bags available to customers for a charge of 10 cents, and food stores would have the option of making reusable grocery bags available for 10 cents or more. 
Nearly 100 cities and towns, including Boston, already have local plastic bag ordinances in place, though the specifics of those bans vary among communities. 
In testimony prepared for the Legislature’s Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture Committee, the Massachusetts Food Association said it could support a statewide ban on plastic bags to replace the patchwork of local rules and create an “even playing field” for supermarkets and grocery stores."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/supermarket-group-backs-plastic-bag-ban

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016
FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

From the archives

A petition online had been created in May 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

FHS students brought their plastic bag proposal to the Town Council in Sep 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

After the Town Council presentation in September, the Economic Development Committee picked up the matter for their meeting Nov 30, 2016 (audio file of the meeting available)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html