Monday, November 9, 2020

Lyon Landscape and Nursery - Christmas Tree go on sale Nov 27

"The holidays will be here before we know it. Escape the long lines this holiday season and stop by Lyon Landscape Nursery for a fresh cut Christmas tree. We have plenty of Fraser firs to choose from; starting at 5’. We will also be selling fresh wreaths made on site. Sales start on Friday, November 27 and will continue during the weekends in December."
For more info visit the Facebook posting 
 
Visit Lyon Landscape and Nursery on the internet
https://www.lyonlandscapenursery.com/

Lyon Landscape and Nursery - Christmas Tree go on sale Nov 27
Lyon Landscape and Nursery - Christmas Tree go on sale Nov 27


"Hockomock League Announces Hockomock Post-Season"

Via the Hockomock League we share the first round playoff assignments.  Specific date/times remain to be determined.

"Championship action is upcoming for Field Hockey, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer and Cross Country. We are thrilled to be providing these competitions as a culmination of our fall season.

CROSS COUNTRY- On Saturday, November 14, the Hockomock Championship will be held at Highland Park in Attleboro. Each school will enter up to ten boys and ten girls to compete at the event. Health and safety of the participants will be our primary goal as we set the school and team start times with the purpose of minimizing school mixing. Individual and team champions will be recognized. Additional details will be communicated by each school.
------------
FIELD HOCKEY- We will be holding a Hockomock Cup tournament beginning this upcoming week. The top four teams from each of our divisions will qualify for the Championship Bracket while the remaining teams will participate in our consolation rounds.

In the Championship Bracket, the highest seeded team will host.  Game dates and times are to be set and released by the individual schools but play is expected to begin on Tuesday, November 10th.

Field Hockey Championship Round 1 (expected to be 11/10 or 11/11)
Game 1- Franklin (Kelley-Rex #1 seed) vs North Attleboro (Davenport #4 seed)
Game 2-  Canton (Davenport #2 seed) vs Attleboro HS (Kelley-Rex #3 seed)
Game 3-  KP (Kelley-Rex #2 seed) vs Foxboro (Davenport #3 seed)
Game 4-  OA (Davenport #1 seed) vs Mansfield (Kelley-Rex #4 seed) 

------------

GIRLS SOCCER- We will be holding a Hockomock Cup tournament beginning this upcoming week. The top four teams from each of our divisions will qualify for the Championship Bracket while the remaining teams will participate in our consolation rounds.

Girls Soccer- Championship Round 1 (expected play on 11/10 or 11/11)

Game 1- Franklin (Kelley-Rex #1 seed) vs North Attleboro (Davenport #4 seed)
Game 2- Foxboro (Davenport #2 seed) vs Mansfield/KP (Kelley-Rex #3 seed)
Game 3- Mansfield/KP (Kelley-Rex #2 seed) vs Oliver Ames (Davenport #3 seed)
Game 4- Canton (Davenport #1 seed) vs Attleboro (Kelley-Rex #4 seed)
*The KR #2 and #3 seed will be determined after the regular season Mansfield vs Milford game.

------------

BOYS SOCCER- We will be holding a Hockomock Cup tournament beginning this upcoming week. The top four teams from each of our divisions will qualify for the Championship Bracket while the remaining teams will participate in our consolation rounds.

Championship Round 1 (expected play on 11/10 or 11/11)

Game 1- Milford (Kelley-Rex #1 seed) vs Sharon (Davenport #4 seed)
Game 2- Canton (Davenport #2 seed) vs KP (Kelley-Rex #3 seed)
Game 3- Mansfield (Kelley-Rex #2 seed) vs Foxboro (Davenport #3 seed)
Game 4- Oliver Ames (Davenport #1 seed) vs Franklin (Kelley-Rex #4 seed)

For the full schedule, visit the Hockomock League
 
"Hockomock League Announces Hockomock Post-Season"
"Hockomock League Announces Hockomock Post-Season"


Franklin Interact Club cancels "Monster Dash"

"Due to the new COVID-19 restrictions and to guarantee safety, we have decided to cancel our fundraiser scheduled for next Friday. Thank you for being so understanding of all of these changes and we are disappointed that we won't get to see all of you that planned to come.
https://twitter.com/FranklinIntera1/status/1325498377627447296?s=03

Franklin Interact Monster Dash has been postponed to Nov13 due to the weather. The sign up will remain open until then :)

https://twitter.com/FranklinIntera1/status/1321960710658756610

From Pantherbook we share the following:  

"Looking for a way to help your community while still being able to have fun this Halloween season? Join the Franklin Interacts Club in participating in the Monster Dash being held on October 30th to help raise money for donations to local shelters! 

The Franklin Interacts Club is a group which organizes projects every year to help others in their local communities. According to Saivagmita Kantheti, a member of the organization, the purpose of the club is to “connect with other young people and have fun while serving their communities and learning about the world”. Most of their work revolves around helping the Franklin Food Pantry and other shelters in Massachusetts. "



Monster Dash: Fund raising fitness event - Oct 30
Monster Dash: Fund raising fitness event - Oct 30


Read the sources cited and make your decision

Tracy Novick spent time with the sources cited by Gov Baker and DESE in their encouragement for students to be in schools. While I also agree educationally, kids do belong in the school learning environment, under the pandemic circumstances, only when it is healthy to do so. 

Here are the sources cited with Tracy's summary so you can read along and decide for yourself.

"On Friday, after the latest round of the Governor/Secretary/Commissioner's pounding their fists on tables (metaphorically) about getting students back into buildings, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued updated guidance. As the Governor and Commissioner continue to cite what is known from other countries, I was interested to see what they cited as their sources in urging all students, even those in communities where the virus is surging, to go back into buildings for school.

The Department has four footnotes on their recommendations:

Obviously, I am not a doctor, but I am able to read research and review conclusions, and so I did to the pieces here cited, as the argument here is that these are indicating that students even as the virus surges, should be going back into buildings.

The short answer is that none of these pieces say that."

Continue reading Tracy's article online
 
Read the sources cited and make your decision
Read the sources cited and make your decision

 

Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 2020

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar -https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day/2020-07-07

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/


Tips

Paul Eugene Low impact standing aerobics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u35SwITpax0 


Chair Yoga - 29 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZvmKOPoFVo 


Top 10 balance exercises.  STOP falls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atMJ2opvCvo 


8 hours of underwater whale songs.  This is so relaxing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDqP7kcr-sc 


Music

Songs that got us through WWII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRtiTwOrif4&list=PLA86C2DA5F0C1DB7E&index=4 


50 countries affected by COVID sing Amazing Grace together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7pdABvpnc 


US Military acapella group on America's got Talent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_rXaDN7gkg 


Just for Fun

Virtual Whale Watch - drone footage of Whales and dolphins.  Beautiful and relaxing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTvRm9CdDVE 


Ingenious Home Design Solutions - Ok these are cool!  The bunk beds are a great idea!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBY5bEreKVM&t=24s 


Harry Gardner sings a son about his Nan - MUST watch this and have a tissue or 2 ready. 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgxwKjKppztrVJjhpKKwBRWdtVVrL?projector=1 


Humor

Lucy teaches Ethel Merman to sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu1vAQiYoEU 


Scaredy Cats a short compilation of cats being scared

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTd98iMBok 


What's My Line - best contestant ever. June 1, 1958

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQdZyi6fozY 


Kindness Matters

The Boy On The Beach - A young boy's tribute to the brave men who fought at Normandy.

https://pinearts.smugmug.com/The-Boy-on-the-Beach-Omaha-Beach-2014/i-vPVMh5F/A 


Airport comes to a standstill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbnIITsfzDU 


Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday Nov. 9th at 11am - The History and growing of the Milestone Cranberry Bogs with Conservation Ranger Allen Reinhard.

*Monday Nov. 9th at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Monday Nov. 9th at 2pm - Memory Cafe 

*Tuesday Nov. 10th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Wednesday Nov. 11th - Happy Veterans Day special programming on franklin TV

*Thursday Nov. 12th at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday Nov. 13th at 11am - "Covid-19 Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers" Learn strategies for managing the day to day challenges that are unique to Alzheimer's caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics will include managing a day at home, caregiving from a distance during visitation restrictions, and preparing for an emergency. Open to anyone.  Call 1-800-272-3900 to register for this zoom event.

*Friday Nov. 13th at 1pm Tele Trivia call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945


Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more.  Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter 


Attached you will find:


Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna


Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 




REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here


MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/



--
Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
 
Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 2020
Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 2020

 

Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges Five Questions to Get Us Unstuck And Make Things Better

Now that we can back to our lives... Really looking forward to this free webinar with former IDEO designer and current Olin College prof @ElaBenUr next Monday: https://t.co/gXITrezKzy Some practical strategies to get unstuck and move forward. Register now!
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges
Five Questions to Get Us Unstuck And Make Things Better 
– Especially During the Pandemic

With Ela Ben-Ur of Olin College, Formerly of IDEO

Two sessions: November 16, 2020 at 12 PM or 7 PM US ET
 
 
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges

 

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020

Call to Order    Dr. Ahern
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence 
 
Organizational Meeting:
  • Election of Chair
  • Election of Vice Chair
 
I.    Routine Business
A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
C.    FHS Student Representative Comments
D.    Superintendent’s Report
 
II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Portrait of a Graduate
1.    Process, Indicators, and Descriptors -- Sara Ahern, Joyce Edwards, Lucas Giguere, Paula Marano, Josh Hanna, Paul Duprey, Lizzie Morrison, Beckie Motte
2.    Graphic Design - Anne Marie Tracey
 
III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
●    AC - Nondiscrimination
●    ACAB - Harassment
●    ACAB-R1 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Harassment and Discrimination
●    ACAB-R2 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
●    JQA - Financial Assistance
 
IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    Reopening of Schools - Status Update 11/6/2020
 
V.    Information Matters
A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
 
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)
 
VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items
 
VII.    Consent Agenda
A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B.    Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the executive session minutes from the October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed to be released.
C.    Solutions Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for supplemental curriculum materials for the Solutions Program as detailed.
D.    Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $61.85 from Campus Box Media, LLC for supplemental supplies for FHS Athletics as detailed.
 
VIII.    Payment of Bills    TBD
 
IX.    Payroll    TBD
 
X.    Executive Session
 
XI.    Adjournment

 

The documents for this meeting can be found in the online folder

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020


Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup

How it works:
  • Place a hold in the Minuteman Library Network catalog https://find.minlib.net
  • Wait for a notification (email, text, phone call)
  • Pick up your items at the Library Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the glass vestibule entrance at the top of the ramp.
  • Items are filed by your last name on book carts
  • Your items are already checked out to you, just bring them home!
  • Prefer to make a request by phone? Give us a call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 508-520-4941. We can place up to five holds per phone call.
Returns:
  • Please return items in the return slots at the top of the ramp, to the left of the glass doors.
  • To return an oversized item, call the Circulation Desk during Curbside Pickup hours and a staff person will meet you at the door to accept the item.
  • Please call the Circulation Desk with any questions, or if you have mobility issues: 508-520-4941. 
 
Download a copy of this for reference
 
Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup
Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup


FM #384 "A Minister, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station" - LIVE - 11/04/20 (audio)

FM #384 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 384 in the series.

This special edition shares the audio of the live Franklin Public Radio show that was broadcast on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2020:  “A Minister, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station”

This program features an interview format with Rabbi Tom Alpert (Temple Etz Chaim), Rev. Kathy McAdams (St. John's Episcopal Church) and Rev Eric Cherry (First Universalist Society of Franklin).  Jay Horrigan and Pandora Carlucci co-facilitate the discussion. Pete Fasciano and Keith Palmieri handle the technical details. I was honored to be a guest for this episode and share the stats from the unofficial election results Nov 3.

Anytime Listen Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDf00XDS



--------------

All episodes of this show can be found on  https://temple-etzchaim.org/community/listen-watch/
 
You can also catch this program repeated  on wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the local dial on Thursday's at 9:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 6:00 PM or Sunday's at 9:00 AM.

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

"A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a Radio Station…"
"A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a Radio Station…"

 

 

“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”

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

"Izzy Arnold received her first COVID-19 test Saturday morning.

“It was kind of uncomfortable,” the Franklin High junior soccer player said. “But nothing I can’t handle.”

And that sentiment accurately sums up the past week for Franklin High students and administrators.

A party on Oct. 31 at a home in Franklin, where up to 50 high school students failed to practice social distancing or wear masks, forced Franklin High School to shut down until Nov. 16."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
The Nov 1 letter shutting sports down with delay to hybrid until Nov 16
 
The Nov 5 letter with the test plan for athletes

“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”
“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”


Soooo– What’s the Fix? Toward a More Accurate Union

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/08/2020

“So, what have we learned?” This is not a question. It’s that parental admonition you hear when you did something you were warned not to do – and you suffered for it. You touched that hot stove. You got a boo-boo. You cried. So, what have we learned? Admit it.  Our national election system is flawed.  It’s not perfect.

I write this on Saturday AM. It’s been 4 days and counting. We wait. Votes are being tallied with the greatest deliberation and care, as they should be. Why couldn’t we know the outcome on election night? Why would there be any discrepancy between the national popular vote (will-o-the people) and the electoral outcome (again)?

In the corridors of Congress there is a pertinent quip. Any law that creates a new wing in the offices of attorneys and accountants – is a bad law. In our quest for a more perfect union, we need to consider a more perfect Constitution. We have done this before – 33 times – with 27 realized in the form of Constitutional Amendments. Our first 10 Amendments as The Bill of Rights are revered every bit as deeply as the original Constitution itself.

We’ve even amended our Amendments when necessary. The 21st repealed the 18th after 14 years of prohibition. In that short span, the 19th gave women the vote. The 20th set the dates when the President and Congress begin and end their terms. The 22nd set Presidential term limits. Through its amendments, the Constitution is a living document that moves slowly yet ever persistently toward greater perfection.

Just as lawyers perfect business contracts with taut, unambiguous legal language, the Constitution itself needs additional perfection now and ten. Hence, amendments. Where contracts are limited by time or fulfillment, The Constitution has no sunset clause. Therefore, to continually perfect its relevance, it too needs maintenance.

The Constitution reserves to states those rights not expressly prescribed by the Federal government. That includes how states conduct their elections for state and federal office – governors, senators, representatives. These offices are voted by each state to serve that state. The President of The United States is different than any other political office. POTUS represents all of us equally, and should be elected by all of us through our individual votes applied in equal effect and measure.

So, given the anguish of these last two presidential elections – what have we learned?

What’s the fix? What are the things we should amend?
 
Our singularly national election of a President takes place among fifty separate statewide elections. The careful goal should be to harmonize the Presidential election across all states while not unduly abridging each state’s right to conduct its elections for other offices as it deems appropriate. There are things we can do.

Thing One:
We do not have to abolish the Electoral College outright. We just have to eliminate “Winner-Take-All” and apportion each state’s electors according to the popular vote in that state. This balances the power of the vote for all populations in all states. It benefits the people in those states that are deemed noncompetitive as solidly red or blue in presidential elections and which therefore receive less attention by major party candidates.  With “every vote equal”, the presidential and vice-presidential nominees and their organizations would campaign for every vote nationwide, rather than working key battleground states. The concentration of campaign resources, advertising, and candidate appearances in battleground states depresses voter turnout in fly-over states where candidates make few campaign appearances.

Thing Two:
Prepare, cure and count all legal mail-in and absentee ballots timely. Mailed ballots must be cast prior to a federally prescribed uniform deadline – postmarked 7 days prior to Election Day. Ballots may also be submitted by hand to ballot boxes or to election officials up to the closing hour of the election. This is a balanced approach that ensures the inclusion of legal mail-in votes in the Election Day tally. It does not abridge the option to cast a ballot by drop-box-or in person on Election Day. It enables every state a consistent set of national ground rules to provide a timely, accurate national count. It has no material effect on votes for statewide offices.

Thing Three:
To qualify for the Office of the President or Vice-President, a prospective candidate must first serve for a minimum of a full term in statewide elected office, specifically as a governor, a senator or a representative. This requirement ensures that beyond money and celebrity, all presidential candidates bring a modicum of political and legislative wisdom to this most important role as the leader of the free world.

Craft, perfect and pass the above things as an Amendment. The Constitutionality could not ever be called into question because an Amendment becomes integral to the Constitution, the one thing that strives to move us all toward perfection.

Having offered one view, this floor is open to other suggestion. What would you do? 

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 
 
 
The Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio program guide can be found online
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   For historical purposes, the program guide:
 
 
Soooo– What’s the Fix? Toward a More Accurate Union
Soooo– What’s the Fix? Toward a More Accurate Union


"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"

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

"These vote-counting sessions are required so that local clerks can count any ballots that came in between 5 p.m. on Election Day and 5 p.m. on Friday, as long as they were postmarked by Tuesday. Another session will need to be scheduled to count overseas ballots, which have another week to arrive, but again, must have been postmarked by Nov. 3.

Municipalities were allowed to save ballots that came in the mail on Election Day until these later counting sessions, but many chose to count them on Election Day.

None of the cities or towns in MetroWest or Greater Milford who responded to the Daily News anticipate having enough ballots to overturn their town’s presidential results. Several had 20 ballots or fewer as of Thursday or Friday afternoon, with only a day or a few hours left until the post office could drop off more.

On Saturday, Franklin officials expected to count nearly 200 ballots, the most of any community in the region. But that’s still not enough to take the win from Biden in that town, where he had just under 5,000 votes more than President Donald Trump."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"
"Municipalities have until Nov. 18 to send their final tallies to the state"

"2,200 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in MA"

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

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 2,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 164,936.

This marks the second straight day that state health officials have reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases. The last time that happened was April 24-25.

An estimated 20,720 cases are active across the state, the daily report shows."