FHS' Shea among HockomockSports.com's "Softball: Ten Players to Watch for 2019"

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


ALLY SHEA, SENIOR – FRANKLIN
"Franklin senior Ally Shea has been a consistent presence in the Panthers lineup since jumping in midway through her freshman season. The lefty batted .344 last season, which was down slightly from an even more prolific sophomore campaign, and finished with 22 hits. Shea has the power to find the gaps and rack up extra bases and defies expectations by being a hitter that likes to take the ball the other way. She loves to hit it through the hole between second and short and use the gap in left-center. 

The key for the Panthers will be getting more players on base ahead of her to get her up in more run-producing situations and with a strong core returning Franklin will see an opportunity for a return to the playoffs this spring. Shea is also a versatile player who can play catcher, first base and a little outfield when called upon, which makes her a mainstay in the Franklin lineup and allows flexibility for changes as the game goes along."

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

FHS Panthers

Tri-County Librarian Receives Massachusetts School Library Association President’s Award

The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) has named Ariel Dagan, Library-Media Specialist at Tri- County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, as a recipient of the 2019 President’s Award. This award honors an MSLA member who, in a career of one to five years, has made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program.

Since coming to Tri-County in March 2014, Mr. Dagan has made extensive changes that have been beneficial to the students, faculty and the school in general. He began by renaming the school library to The Library Media Center, a name meant to promote a place within the school that is a resource center that students and teachers love to visit. Then he rearranged the Library in a way that created greater use by students and staff. He purchased tall café-style tables for students and staff to use when working in small groups and new rolling tables that allow for flexibility based on group activity. 

Ariel Dagan, Library-Media Specialist at Tri- County

Recently, the Library Media Center hosted classes listening to first hand stories from a Vietnam Veteran, and an initial performance by thespians in the school’s Music Club during lunch. Mr. Dagan created an online library portal filled with useful information and lesson plans co-designed with staff. The goal is to allow patrons to become better consumers of credible information for their academic or vocational programs and advance in their media literacy skills acquisition.

Mr. Dagan has collaborated with the various vocational career programs, initiating independent reading in both the Medical Careers and Metal Fabrication career programs. He has been working with the Early Education career program to develop online resources enabling students to find the material they want to use in their lessons with pre-school aged children. Mr. Dagan was instrumental in introducing Newsela to vocational and academic teachers, bringing differentiated learning in classes. 

MSLA President, Carrie Tucker
with Ariel Dagan

Under Mr. Dagan’s leadership, Tri-County significantly increased database usage in the school for five years in a row. By developing independent online guides for each of the 16 vocational career programs, he has enabled them to reach specific online tools that would help them with their Senior Project research, a requirement for graduation for all Tri-County seniors.

Mr. Dagan received the award this past Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the MSLA Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center. The awards ceremony is a part of the MSLA Annual Conference, “School Libraries are for Everyone.” He also participated in the IdeaLab, featuring projects/initiatives from the Tri-County library program.

“Mr. Dagan is an inspiration to our students and the school itself,” said Superintendent Stephen Dockray. “His innovative approach and seemingly limitless wealth of knowledge of collecting, maintaining and making accessible media resources to students and faculty has been remarkable. We look forward to seeing more of what his vision and passion will bring to our school.”

The Massachusetts School Library Association works to ensure every school has a school library program that is fully integrated at all grade levels across the curriculum and has a significant and measurable impact on student achievement. For more information, consult the MSLA website, maschoolibraries.org.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

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

HMEA 5K: Have you registered yet?

Don't miss HMEA's incredABLE 5k!

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. click here to register http://events.hmea.org/site/TR?fr_id=1140&pg=entry 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 Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with Try it free today

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

"One of the finest singers and musicians anywhere in folkdom." (Boston Globe)

Tracy Grammer with Jim Henry, Eric Lee opens View this email in your browser 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 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

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' 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 girls lacrosse and girls tennis teams drop matches on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports, we 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

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)

"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)

"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
 (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
(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?

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

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

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

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!