In the News: by the numbers, there are highs and lows

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

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 702 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 139,353.

There were 14,962 new molecular tests conducted, with an approximately 4.69% daily positive rate. That is the highest rate since June 6."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201016/mass-reports-highest-covid-19-test-positivity-rate-since-june-6---469?rssfeed=true

 

"The state’s unemployment rate dropped into single digits in September after spending five months above 10%, as employers reported adding 36,900 jobs and Massachusetts continued its economic recovery from the sudden COVID-inflicted recession.

State labor officials announced Friday that the unemployment rate declined to 9.6% in September, 1.8 percentage points below the revised August rate of 11.4%.

The state unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been since March, the last month of data that did not fully reflect the massive layoffs prompted by government-mandated shutdowns and large-scale shifts in consumer behavior to avoid public health risks."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201016/mass-jobless-rate-falls-below-10?rssfeed=true

 

“The weather is just getting more and more extreme,” she said, noting that while droughts are happening in this part of the world, other areas are seeing record rainfall and hurricanes.

Earlier this month, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides declared a Level 3 Critical Drought in the southeast region of the state. When such a declaration is made, it means “many sectors, community functions and environmental resources are facing critical strain” due to the drought, according to the state’s drought management plan.

In September, Theoharides declared all seven regions of the state at a Level 2 Critical Drought Level, which called for more restrictions on water use and greater collaboration between the state and municipalities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201016/recent-rain-too-little-too-late-for-farmers-hit-by-drought?rssfeed=true  

Town Common walkway as the fallen leaves are gathered

"80 percent of those leaving the workforce during the pandemic are women"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"LAUREN SONALKAR was working as a part-time science teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools before the pandemic. A week before school started this year, the district offered Sonalkar a job working full time, teaching a small class of fourth graders in person.

Sonalkar lives in Arlington, where her first-grade daughter was given the opportunity of hybrid or remote schooling, and the family felt remote learning would be a more consistent option. Sonalkar also has a 3-year-old in a part-time nanny share and needs to be available to help her mother, who has a disability.

“When they told me I’d have to be full time, I was like I can’t do that,” Sonalkar said.

Sonalkar’s husband works in finance, and the family relies on his income more than hers. She felt her only choice was to take a year-long leave of absence from her teaching job.

While Sonalkar knows she is privileged to be able to forgo the income and have a job waiting for her, she said, “It felt like losing a piece of my identity a little bit.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/pandemic-forcing-exodus-of-women-from-workforce/ 

 

 

Lack of childcare forcing many to step back from jobs

Franklin Line notice: Commuter Rail shuttle bus on weekends through Nov 22

"On weekends through Nov 22, buses replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double-track extension work. They will operate on a weekend train schedule. However, trains will operate between Walpole and South Station.

The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time."

Visit mbta.com/FRKwork and mbta.com/FRKdoubletrack for more details.

For more information: https://mbta.com/FRKwork

Last Updated: Oct 16 2020 04:28 PM 

 

Franklin Line notice: Commuter Rail shuttle bus weekend through Nov 22

Franklin's Weekend - Oct 17-18, 2020

From the newly rejuvenated Community Calendar, we share the following events scheduled for this weekend:

Friday, October 16

 October StoryWalk® on the SNETT

12:00pm -  Farmers Market

5:00pm -  Pumpkin Patch @ St John's

 

Saturday, October 17

 October StoryWalk® on the SNETT

10:00am -  Early voting

12:00pm -  Pumpkin Patch @ St John's

4:00pm -  Community Unity Art

7:30pm -  FPAC: "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"

 

Sunday, October 18

 October StoryWalk® on the SNETT

10:00am -  Early voting

12:00pm -  Pumpkin Patch @ St John's

2:00pm -  FPAC: "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"

3:00pm -  LiveARTS: Victor Rosenbaum, Piano

 

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication, please use this form:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
  

Community Calendar

  

 

Franklin Historical Museum: November's News - getting ready to re-open

new Holiday ornaments

We’re very happy to be able to announce that the Franklin Historical Museum will be open, with restrictions, as of Sunday November 1st.  The Historic Commission has announced the museum will be open with a limited schedule, once a week, on Sundays 1PM-4PM.  Stop in to visit our new and improved Gift Shop featuring new items unique to Franklin.  This year we have two new Holiday ornaments to add to your tree – depicting The Ray Memorial Library and the Downtown Water Trough in Clark Square, selling for $18.00 each.  Ornaments have been very popular and have sold out the past 2 years.  Be sure to get yours early before they’re gone. Other items added to the Gift Shop shelves this year are Hometown Candles, pillows, mugs and much more. The Gift Shop is run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. Profits go towards supporting museum programs.

 

Due to the ongoing Covid epidemic, everyone visiting the museum will be required to wear a mask. Guests will provide their name and contact information upon entering to allow for contact tracing if needed. There is an building occupancy capacity, so we ask that people are patient in the event we reach our capacity. Patrons will be able to look, read and observe, but will not be allowed to touch items in the museum for safety, and will be required to maintain social distancing. Please be aware that our research library will be temporarily closed to the public and we are putting a hold on physical donations to our collections for the time being. We thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

 

 

also in the gift shop

Our limited schedule and COVID-19 protocols are a necessary yet temporary arrangement. As conditions change and improve, we will most certainly move to a more regular schedule. Our ever popular Second Sunday Speaker Series will hopefully return at some point early next year. Finally, workers have been measuring, cutting and hammering behind the scenes at the museum on the installation of a very intriguing and historically unique Franklin exhibit. More details to follow with an opening date for the exhibit to be announced. Check back here for more exciting details coming soon.

 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Look for our Trivia Tuesdays the second Tuesday of each month on Instagram.  Visit us at 80 West Central Street, Franklin MA. The museum is ADA compliant and admission is always Free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Franklin early voting opens Saturday, Oct 17

Early Voting:  FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL  (2 weeks) starting   Saturday, Oct. 17th through Friday, Oct. 30th

• Saturday, Oct. 17th and Sunday, Oct. 18TH   10 AM - 3 PM
  
• Monday, Oct 19th   9 AM - 3 PM
  
• Tuesday, Oct. 20th 9 AM - 3 PM
• Wednesday, Oct. 21st 9 AM - 5 PM
• Thursday, Oct. 22nd 9 AM - 3 PM
• Friday, Oct. 23rd  9 AM - noon
  
• Saturday, Oct. 24th and Sunday, Oct. 25th   10 AM - 3 PM
• Monday, Oct 26th  9 AM - 3 PM
• Tuesday, Oct. 27th 9 AM - 3 PM
• Wednesday, Oct. 28th 9 AM - 5 PM
• Thursday, Oct. 29th 9 AM - 3 PM
• Friday, Oct. 30th 9 AM - noon

 

**STATE ELECTION – Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 am – 8 pm FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL GYM**

Franklin early voting opens Saturday, Oct 17

 

The FHS boys and girls cross country, field hockey, and golf teams top KP on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Thursday, Oct 15.

Field Hockey = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final 

– Franklin scored twice inside a four-minute space in the opening quarter and held off King Philip the rest of the way to get a key win. Amanda Lewandowski scored both for the Panthers, opening the scoring at 7:07 on an assist from Stephanie Bell and then doubling the lead just over three minutes later. Neilee Hess made five saves in the win for the Panthers. Head coach Michelle Hess praised the defensive play of Kendall Jones and Kate O’Rourke, and added that Sara Carney had a stellar outing in the midfield. KP senior goalie Makenzie Manning kept the Warriors in it with 18 saves and head coach Lisa Cropper said both senior Ali Beltramini and freshman Kelly Holmes played well. 

 

Golf = Franklin, 158 @ King Philip, 166 – Final 

– Franklin picked up its sixth straight win to open the season, earning its second straight close win over division foe King Philip. Jack Paterson and Brian Sandham led the way for the Panthers at Wentworth Hill Country Club, both shooting a team-low round of 38. Pat Dolan and Nolan Norton each added a 41 in the win. Mike Matheson was the match medalist, leading KP with a low-round of 37 while Jared Curran chipped in with a 40 for the Warriors.

Boys Cross Country = King Philip, 41 @ Franklin, 18 – Final 

– Nicholas Calitri broke his own course record, setting a new time of 15:56 as he crossed first in Franklin’s win over King Philip. Griffin Sieczkiewicz (16:19) took second overall on the 3.05 mile course and Josh Anderson (16:21) rounded out the top three for the Panthers. Declan Walmsley (fifth, 16:52) and Clancy Golden (seventh, 17:21) also scored in the Panthers’ win.

Girls Cross Country = King Philip, 48 @ Franklin, 15 – Final

"The Panthers had a great team effort against KP. FHS won 15-48. The Panthers placed 17 runners in the top 20 places. Franklin was led by Senior Angelina Perez. Captain Sydney was second followed by Freshman Alexandra Batla. Other scorers included Charlene Peng & Caitlin Casey "

Via Twitter and Coach Bailey  https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1316912457655455745

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-15-20/

 

The FHS boys and girls cross country, field hockey, and golf teams top KP on Thursday