Franklin January 2014 by Local Town Pages

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January 1, 2014

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Circle of Friends Coffeehouse a Hidden Franklin Treasure BY J.D. O’GARA Almost twenty-four years ago, a group of eight people decided they wanted to promote live music in Franklin. “There really wasn’t a venue or anything,” says Jake Jacobson. “They decided they would start a coffeehouse and went to the board members of the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) and asked to borrow $1,500 for sound equipment. At that time, the congregation met at Dean College, so concerts were held at the Masonic Hall across the street.” When the FUSF moved to its current location, at 262 Chestnut Street, the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, as it was now known, moved as well. Long time First Universalist Society of Franklin member Elizabeth Randall refers to the Circle of Friends coffeehouse as “awesome.” “One of the things I love is that I can bring my daughter and her friends along,” says Randall,

Mass Cultural Council Gets Taste of Franklin Culture BY J.D. O’GARA On the morning of Thursday, November 21st, two representatives from the Massachusetts Cultural Council came to get a taste of the arts in Franklin.

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a nonprofit music venue that has operated in Franklin for the last 24 years. Located at the First Universalist Society of Franklin at 262 Chestnut Street, the coffeehouse draws nationally acclaimed musicians to the town. Shown are The Kennedys, performing at the Coffeehouse. Photo courtesy of Circle of Friends Coffeehouse.

“which I have done over the years. (She’s now 14 and has been attending for probably eight years.) They can enjoy quality music, close at hand, and get to meet the artists.”

Friends Coffeehouse. “We’ve had Tom Rush, Janice Ian, she’s a Grammy winner, Peter Yarroll from Peter, Paul & Mary, lots of Boston Music Award winners.”

And top-notch artists they are.

Jacobson says that the coffeehouse, at this point, is well known

“We pretty much have nationally touring acts at this point,” says Jacobson, Director of the Circle of

COFFEEHOUSE continued on page 4

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Led by State Rep. Jeff Roy, Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Greg Liakos, MCC Communications Director, made their first stop at Franklin High School, to visit with students and teachers involved in the Franklin Arts Academy. Art teacher Jane Hogan offered an overview of the program, explaining how students involved incorporate art into all of the subjects they study at school. In fact, she noted that 65% of seniors involved in the FAA program saw significant improvement to their GPA’s. In addition, success in FAA does not limit students to art, says Hogan. Eighty percent of students in FAA go

on to study at traditional colleges and universities rather than art schools. “We’re not just learning it, we’re living it,” says FAA senior Heidi Gleichauf, of the FAA approach of incorporating the arts into all of her studies. “I learn so much in school.” Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, Anita Walker, was impressed. “This is a perfect example of how a school is finding not only ways to embrace the arts and enter them into the curriculum, but it actually shows the data, the results of this implemented curriculum.” Later, the visitors were treated to a sneak peak of the new Franklin High School, still under construction.

CULTURAL continued on page 5

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Franklin Holiday Stroll It may have been a bit foggy, but the weather cooperated for the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 6th. The warmer weather drew Franklin residents and business owners out for a great evening. Shown are a few highlights of the night. Strollers enjoyed a handbell choir concert at Dean Bank. Photo by Terri Frank, used courtesy of Franklin Downtown Partnership

Publisher Chuck Tashjian editor J.D. O’Gara Advertising sAles MAnAger Lori Koller Franklin - Millis - Medway teleMArketing Kyle Koller Production & lAyout Gorette Sousa Michelle McSherry Advertising dePArtMent 508-533-NEWS (6397) Ad Deadline is the 15th of each month. Localtownpages assumes no financial liability for errors or omissions in printed advertising and reserves the right to reject/edit advertising or editorial submissions. ©

Over on Main Street, Drama Kids stood by for fun holiday pics. Shown, Gillian Cristiano, Megan Webb and Suzy Cristiano. The Franklin Fire Department opened its doors to residents with a touch-a-truck event. Here, Brennan Regan, 3, tries his driving skills on a Franklin fire enBudding artist Mickayla Callaghan, age 2 1/2, gets some gine. encouragement at the Franklin Art Center.

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STROLL continued from page 2

The mild weather made for a pleasant craft under festive holiday lights by Dean Bank.

Jane’s Frames once again sponsored musician Jamie Barrett, to the delight of all those in attendance.

Santa made his annual stop at Simon’s Furniture. Photo by Terri Frank, used courtesy of Franklin Downtown Partnership

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Bob Percy, of the Franklin Historical Society, stood watch at the Franklin Historical Museum. Shown is a display of military uniforms worn by Franklin veterans, including that of Lt. Gen. Winglass, of the U.S. Marines. The Franklin Historical Museum is free of charge and open Thursday, from 5-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and on Sunday, from 1-4 p.m.

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COFFEEHOUSE continued from page 1

among the performers. “After 20+ years, we know a lot of the performers, and some of them are on rotation and come back every two years or so,” he says. He adds that the venue is just a very warm place, yet the shows are professionally done. “We can fit 300 people in there,” says Jacobson, “and we have professional sound and lighting equipment and, even more importantly, people who know how to run it. This is a fairly good sized room for people who are going around the country trying to make a living.”

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a nonprofit organization, with a group of 20 or so “wonderful” volunteers, says Jacobson,

who provide refreshments and set up the room and clean up afterwards. Most of the money taken in, about $20 admission per person for a regular show, goes to performers. “We’re very happy about that,” says Jacobson, who’s been with the Circle of Friends for about 22 years and does most of the booking, “and very often we have Franklin Cable recording our shows and broadcasting them.” Concerts are presented once or twice a month, usually on Saturday nights from September to May, which works out to be about 12 to 14 concerts a year, says Jacobson. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and all concerts start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All concerts are nonsmoking and alcohol free.

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Jacobson says that he and other committee members attend annual folk festivals and conferences to find new acts as well. “We’re always looking for new people and try to keep a mix of things going,” he says, “and people recommend people all the time.” The season, he says, started with Chris Smithers and last month featured a Celtic performer. This month, on January 18th, the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will feature Pesky J. Nixon and Spuyten Duyvil, and on February 1st, Joni Mitchell fans will enjoy a Tribute to Joni Mitchell. “In The Tribute to Joni Mitchell, a group of women in the New York City area got together just before the 40th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s Blue album, a fairly famous one,” says Jacobson. “What they do during the show is they each sing one of the songs from the album and they each do one of their own songs,” he says. The

group has an album they’ve produced in which they each perform one song from the original Joni Mitchell album. In addition to the excellent music, Circle of Friends is known for its gourmet desserts, which vary from concert to concert, but typically include several varieties of cheesecake, carrot cake, fruit pies, trifles, tortes, and mousses.

Coffees, teas, soft drinks, water, and cider are also usually available. Each show also features a raffle to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry, and Jacobson notes that last year, the raffle generated about $1,600 for the food pantry. To learn more about the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, visit www.circlefolk.org or look for them on Facebook.

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January 1, 2014

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CULTURAL continued from page 1

After visiting the high school, the Massachusetts Cultural Council representatives dropped by the new Franklin Sculpture Park, nicely underway with several installations.

Massachusetts Cultural Council representatives got a good look at some of the arts initiatives in Franklin, particularly that of the Franklin Arts Academy, at Franklin High School. Shown, from left, FHS Principal Peter Light, FAA Director and teacher Jane Hogan, MCC Communications Director Greg Liakos, Heidi Gleichauf, Brady O’Keefe, Haven Butler, MCC Executive Director Anita Walker, State Rep. Jeff Roy, and Franklin Superintendent of Schools, Maureen Sabolinsky. After visiting with FAA students and taking a look at the FHS construction, Mass Cultural Council representatives took a walk around the Franklin Sculpture Park, already well underway with several installations. Shown, from left, are MCC Comm. Dir. Greg Liakos, MCC Exec. Dir. Anita Walker, State Rep. Jeff Roy and Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting.

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Jam with Musicians Kenny Hadley and Arnie Krakowsky at FSPA Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) invites area instrumentalists, ages 12 and older, to jam with two of Boston’s best musicians, drummer Kenny Hadley and saxophonist Arnie Krakowsky, on Saturday afternoons from January 11 - March 22. Hadley and Krakowsky will lead FSPA’s Jazz Krewe, an instrumental ensemble open to musicians of all levels that will explore such genres as jazz, R&B, rock, blues, funk and pop. The weekly ensemble sessions will provide students with the opportunity to supplement their instrumental studies in a dynamic,

hands-on way. Hadley will also direct FSPA’s Groovemasters percussion ensemble, exploring Latin drumming techniques and solo, ensemble and orchestral work, with participation by invitation only. Hadley and Krakowsky are renowned Boston-area musicians who’ve worked with legends in the industry. Kenny Hadley has played throughout the United States, Europe and South America and has performed with many well-known musicians, including Van Morrison, Dizzy Gillespie, The Count Basie Orchestra, Peter

all FSPA programs. For enrollment and tuition information regarding Jazz Krewe or Groovemasters, contact Kim Rezendes at krezendes@fspaon-

line.com or call (508) 528-8668. Visit www.fspaonline.com for more information about FSPA’s class schedule, course catalogue, faculty and performance calendar.

Wolf, The Drifters and Rebecca Parris. Arnie Krakowski has toured and performed with the iconic Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Artie Shaw Band, The Four Tops, The Temptations and many others. Both are accomplished professionals committed to teaching, who bring extensive real-world experience, knowledge and understanding to mentor students in their training, growth and development. FSPA’s Music Department offers private instruction in all instruments and at any level, whether for recreational interest or serious study. Registration is ongoing for

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Artistry Kitchen Signs Long-Term Lease in Downtown Franklin RE/MAX Executive Realty - Commercial Division announces the signing of a long-term lease for 8,000 square feet of retail space in downtown Franklin. Artistry Kitchen and Artistry Catering and Events will occupy the space at the corner of East Central St. and Cottage St. with a Bistro and Specialty Food Shop on the main retail level and a catering commissary on the

lower level, respectively. Anticipated completion of the build-out will be January 2014. For more details or inquiries about additional space available in the building and elsewhere in downtown Franklin, please contact Eileen Mason, Commercial Sales Agent, (508) 330-4234.

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January 1, 2014

Tri-County Students Join Kennedy’s Youth Cabinet FRANKLIN, MA - Two TriCounty Regional Vocational Technical High School students have been appointed to the new Congressional Youth Cabinet for the 4th Congressional District formed by U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III, D-Brookline. Dillan Hoyt, a junior from Walpole, and Laura Auerbach, a junior from Franklin, have been chosen to represent Tri-County on the Cabinet.

“Dillan and Laura are two very well-rounded students who will represent Tri-County and our student body well in this endeavor,” noted Stephen Dockray, Tri-County RVTHS Superintendent-Director. Two students from each high school in the district will be given the chance to advise Kennedy on issues that affect young people, their families, and their communities during the Youth Cabinet meetings.

“From the rising costs of college tuition to the potential of STEM education and the dangers of bullying, it is important that our youth have a voice in the discussions that will shape their future,” said Congressman Kennedy.

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Tri-County Notes News from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High

Tri-County Students Inducted into National Honor Society Cosmetology Students Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School’s Postsecondary Cosmetology class raised over $750 in donations in October in acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Led by Cosmetology Instructor Barbara Perron, the students hosted both a raffle and a bake sale to raise the funds. The students involved in the fundraiser included Samantha Bouchard, Molly Boulter, Maliwun Cohn, Jacqueline Crugnola, Cori Darling, Anastasia Fiorillo, Amanda Flynn, Brad Gesimondo, Rebecca Martin, Kalyn Medeiros, Jessica O’Brien, Coralee Osborne and Kelsey Sullivan.

Tri-County RVTHS Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray is pleased to announce that twelve students were inducted into the National Honor Society during a ceremony on Thursday, November 14. This year’s inductees into the Tri-County RVTHS Peter Rickard Chapter of the National Honor Society are seniors Gregory Kanelos of Franklin and Kelsey Michaud of North Attleboro, and juniors Michael Ambrose of Millis, Laura Auerbach, Cassius Peter, Caroline Read, and Emily Spillane of Franklin, Samantha Gitschier of Plainville, Dillan Hoyt and Alyssa Zitoli of Walpole, Nathan Twyman of North Attleboro and Amber Webb of Seekonk. The current members of the Tri-County Chapter of the National Honor Society are Joseph Galligan of Medway, Nate Lagos, Stephen Hagen and Geoffrey Penchuk of Wrentham, Holly Turner of North Attleboro, Lindsey Parent of Plainville, Emily Scannell of Franklin and Drew Zaiter of Attleboro.

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“Thank you for all your help you are very patient experts.” -M.D., Watertown “Thank you for your caring and expert assistance.” - E.L., Lynn

DENNIS SULLIVAN & ASSOCIATES All attendees will be eligible to receive our new book, “The Senior & Boomer’s Guide to Heath Care Reform & Avoiding Nursing Home Poverty”

Now Accepting Applications for the 2014-2015 Lottery

Information Evening: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Snow date: Thursday, February 13, 2014 7:00pm-8:30pm; School Auditorium (Tours included)

Excellent MCAS scores • Core Knowledge & MA State Frameworks Curriculum National and State Award Winning character Education School Parent participation • Strong visual & performing arts programs French starting in Kindergarten & Latin in Grade 3 Field trips in all grades • Physical Education two times per week

Applications for K-8 are available: at the school office, Franklin: Town Hall, Library, Community Center Forge Park YMCA; area libraries and www.bfccps.org Applications are due by 4:00pm, Monday, February 24, 2014 (must be hard copy with USPS or hand-delivered) Public Lottery is 1:00pm, Monday, March 3, 2014 in the school library

Información de la Inscripción de la tarde es Lunes, 06 de febrero 2014 en BFCCPS. Las solicitudes de inscripción se deben a las 4:00 pm 24 de febrero 2014. La Loteria se celebrará el Lunes, 03 de febrero 2014 en la biblioteca de la escuela. Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web de la escuela: www.bfccps.org o 508.541.3434 ext. 103.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 10

January 1, 2014

Santa, Mrs. Claus Visit Franklin Rec BY J.D. O’GARA The Franklin Recreation Department held its first Christmas Cookies and Cocoa with Santa Claus on the afternoon of Friday, December 13th at its 150 Emmons Street location. About 35-40 young children attended, along with their parents or grandparents, to meet

not only Saint Nick, but Mrs. Claus as well. According to Franklin Recreation Program Coordinator Megan White, this first annual event was sold out, with the room filling to maximum capacity. The event began with a Christmas ornament craft and a chance

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to decorate Christmas cookies and sip cocoa. Santa and Mrs. Claus then met with children one-onone, later reading a Christmas story. As the two packed up to head back to the sleigh, the children played a game of Christmas bingo. Local Town Pages was able to get an interview with none other than the Jolly Old Elf himself, who noted, “Santa and Ben Franklin were close friends, and Santa promised to always look after the town of Franklin. He and Mrs. Claus were at the Franklin Senior Center earlier today.”

At the Franklin Recreation Department event, children each got to spend some quality time with Santa, some, not so sure about the visitors from the North, in close contact with Mom.

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

January 1, 2014

Page 11

Construction is Complete at Cornerstone at Milford New Assisted Living Community Plans January 2 Opening Cornerstone at Milford held a Sneak Preview soirée to celebrate the new Assisted Living community’s completion. Cornerstone’s Executive Director Jennifer LaCroix also confirmed the community’s January 2, 2014 opening date. Over 100 guests in attendance toured the completed building including model apartments and community rooms which were unveiled to the public for the first time. Many people came to the event who were interested in making Cornerstone their new home and several apartments were reserved during the evening. Cornerstone’s extensive amenities include award-winning, brain healthy cuisine in the community’s Spices Restaurant, live music in the Piano Lounge, cooking classes and demonstrations in the Café, performing arts and visiting guest lecturers in the Greenleaf Community Room, and spa and hairdressing services in Salon 109. In addition, the new building boasts a Creative Arts and Fitness Center, The Claflin Library, Art Gallery, Reflection Room and expansive outdoor spaces including a walking path around the building and a secure courtyard within the Compass Memory Support Neighbor-

hood®. Ms. LaCroix, who conducted tours along with Beth Patras, Director of Community Relations, highlighted the fact that all of these features and more have been specifically designed to enhance residents' quality of life.

based treatment for those with memory loss. Senior Living Residences also manages Compass at Hopkinton, an Alzheimer's Care Assisted Living community. In attendance at the celebration were Joe and Lucille Ciaramicoli, former owners of Greenleaf Farm who for many years resided at the site of the new assisted living

building. Also on hand for the event were Tadd Clelland, Partner at Senior Living Residences, building architects David and Lisa Udelsman of Udelsman Associates, development consultant Steve Paquette of SPL Development Group, building interior designers Angela Nteta and Sharon Currier of Currier Design, Karl Somero,

owner of Focus Construction, Thomas O'Loughlin, Milford's Chief of Police, and Barry Feingold, outgoing president and CEO of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Cornerstone at Milford at www.CornerstoneMilford.com or call Jennifer LaCroix at (508) 473-0035."

“We’re planning a warm welcome for residents who begin moving in next month, each of whom will benefit from an innovative community, with amenities and programs that have been created to promote independence, socialization, brain health and overall wellness,” LaCroix said. “Yes, our building is new, but our innovations are what makes Cornerstone so much different than your typical assisted living residence.” The new senior community will be managed by the well-known Assisted Living pioneer Massachusetts-based Senior Living Residences. With Senior Living Residence’s expertise and a highly experienced local management team headed by LaCroix, Cornerstone at Milford will feature service-enriched assisted living and a state-of-the-art Compass Memory Support Neighborhood®, affiliated with Boston University’s School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, featuring research-

Fisher House, Boston Help a Soldier RECYCLE TODAY

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Cornerstone at Milford unveils finished community rooms and their newly hired management team at a celebratory open house last Thursday. From left to right- Resident Care Director Geraldine Schroth, Director of Building & Grounds Frank Durkin, Compass Program Director Ronnie Brown.

Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 12

January 1, 2014

Your Life and Legacy “The Cost That Keeps Growing and Growing” BY DENNIS SULLIVAN, ESQ., CPA, LLM Hello and welcome to the very first column in a brand new series designed to give you important information and direction on estate planning and protecting your assets, now and in the future. In my role as both an attorney and certified public accountant that specializes in helping baby boomers and seniors plan for a stress-free retirement, I’m pleased to report that there are many options out there to achieve this goal.

The question for you to ponder today however is: “Which of these options is best for my spouse and me?” or if you’re reading this and have elderly parents or grandparents, “Which is the best course of action for my loved ones to take?” The title of this month’s column directly relates to a sad fact of life … the expense of going to a nursing home in Massachusetts has skyrocketed over the past few years and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, the price tag now stands at

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some $150,000 to $180,000 per year! Indeed, you read that dollar figure correctly. So the question I have to ask you is: if you or a loved one has no choice but to enter a nursing home in the very near future, how are you going to pay for it? Believe me, the wrong answer here is to say it will never happen, or I’ll worry about it at some time in the future. I’ve seen the end result of this type of thinking far too often, where good people lose their homes and their life savings to pay for such healthcare costs. It occurs because they didn’t take a few moments, visit an expert, and map out a sound game plan to protect their assets. Which direction will you head? Tragically, as well, there are also some people who think they’re ready to handle nursing home expenses only to discover at the appropriate time, that they weren’t financially ready at all! What about you? An easy first step you can take to avoid the trap of what we call “Nursing Home Poverty” is to get the facts, so you or a loved one doesn’t become another victim of the nursing home system. With folks living longer than ever, it’s vitally important to know the best moves to make, hopefully well in advance. An example here is that there are certain benefits open to veterans which they may not know about. In other words, whether you’re a veteran or not, you may be leaving money on the table or

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not doing the correct things today to make sure you, your spouse or a relative is living a worry-free tomorrow! The choice is yours: live life on your terms with peace of mind rather than with regret wishing you could’ve acted when the time was right. Dennis Sullivan founded The Estate Planning & Asset Protection Law Center of Dennis Sullivan & Associates. He has over 25 years experience helping people and their families. He’s the author of several books, including The Sen-

iors & Boomers Guide to Health Care Reform and Avoiding Nursing Home Poverty. Mr. Sullivan has also written several special reports on estate planning, and hosts a series of area workshops on estate planning and asset protection which are open and free to the public. Dennis is also the featured expert on the “Life and Legacy Program” heard Saturday mornings at 10 on WDIS Radio, AM 1170. Discover more at www.DSullivan.com or call (800) 964-4295.

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January 1, 2014

Page 13

St. Vincent DePaul Monthly Food Collection Jan. 4th & 5th

Thanks to Yanks

The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Church in Franklin will hold its monthly food collection at all Masses the weekend of January 4 and 5, 2014. Items may be may be left in the Conference Room located downstairs in the rear of the church itself any time on these dates. If it’s more convenient, donations may be left in the marked boxes at the doors of the main part of the church. The pantry always needs paper products, cereal and juice boxes. SVdP’s pantry cannot accept candy, soda, dented cans, anything perishable or beyond its expiration date and all donations must be in the original packaging. Over the past few months, we’ve received many items in dented cans or items beyond their expiration date. Please examine, carefully, the items to be donated as we appreciate your help in feeding needy families but we cannot distribute items in dented cans or those past their expiration date. If cleaning out a personal pantry, do not bring the items to us unless they meet these requirements. St. Vincent dePaul helps anyone who asks for assistance by doing what it can to make life easier for those in need. Thank you for your concern and compassion.

YOUR HOME is your most valuable asset.

Pictured is Donnalee Shain, one of the Founders Of Thanks To Yanks. A local organization that believes strongly, that those who served our nation should be remembered, respected, and revered. She is standing in front of donated personal hygiene items, these will be delivered to Veterans, Inc., a Worcester shelter for homeless veterans. For more information on Thanks To Yanks, please visit them on Facebook or at thankstoyanks.org.Thanks To Yanks wishes to thank Care Packs for this generous donation.

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January 1, 2014

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and simply allow your mind to rest on the awareness of breathing. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bothered by your active mind. Gently bring it back to resting its attention on your breath. This turns you inside where you find inner beauty and serenity. Even a moment of being still has great benefit to all levels of your being. This YOGA TIP for Being at Ease is given by Addie Alex, of Light of the Heart Yogaâ&#x201E;˘, www.lightoftheheartyoga.com, (508) 380-6903

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

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January 1, 2014

Living Healthy Keratoconus-The Rub on Eye Rubbing BY ROGER M. KALDAWY, M.D.

Milford Franklin Eye Center Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the normally round, dome-like cornea (the clear front window of the eye) becomes thin and develops a cone-like bulge. Keratoconus literally means “cone-shaped cornea.” The cornea is a very important part of your eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea, which focuses the light rays so that you can see clearly. With keratoconus, the shape of the cornea is irregular, distorting your vision. Keratoconus can make some activities difficult, such as driving, typing on a computer, watching television or reading.

What Causes Keratoconus? The exact cause of keratoconus is still not known. Some researchers believe that genetics play a role, since an estimated 10% of people with keratoconus also have a family member with the condition. Few years ago, I published research showing that keratoconus is associated with a programmed cell death called “apoptosis.” Under this model, the cornea cells “commit suicide” for no apparent reason, leading to a shallow and weak cornea. This research gained national and international attention, as if we can stop apoptosis, we should be able to stop the progression of keratoconus. Some studies suggest that eye rubbing leads to injury to the cornea, which in turns triggers this programmed cell death. Excessive

eye rubbing or wearing hard contact lenses for many years is now associated with keratoconus. Certain eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (a severe type of allergies in the eye) as well as some diseases, such as Leber's congenital amaurosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome and osteogenesis imperfect are all associated with Keratoconus.

Keratoconus Symptoms Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though symptoms in each eye may differ. Symptoms usually start to occur in people who are in their late teens and early 20s and may include: • • • • •

Blurring of vision Distortion of vision Increased sensitivity to light Glare Mild eye irritation

The rate of progression varies. Keratoconus will often progress slowly for 10 to 20 years and then suddenly stop. As the condition progresses, the most common symptoms include: • Increased blurring and distortion of your vision • Increased nearsightedness or astigmatism • Frequent eyeglass prescription changes and inability to see well despite getting updated glasses • Inability to wear contact lenses

EYE continued on page 17

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

January 1, 2014

Page 17

Living Healthy EYE continued from page 16

Occasionally, keratoconus can advance rapidly, with sudden swelling of the cornea and development of corneal scarring. Scar tissue on the cornea causes the cornea to lose its smoothness and clarity. As a result, even more distortion and blurring of vision can occur.

Keratoconus Diagnosis Your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose keratoconus during a routine eye exam. A slit lamp can be used to diagnose severe cases of keratoconus, but sometimes corneal topography is needed to diagnose the more subtle cases of keratoconus. Additional tests may be appropriate to determine the shape of your cornea. These include: Keratometry. In this procedure, a circle of light is focused on your cornea, and the reflection is used to determine the curve of your cornea. Computerized corneal mapping (Topography). This procedure is

used to take a picture of your cornea and generate a topographical map of your eye's surface.

Keratoconus Treatment Keratoconus treatment often depends on the severity of the kerataconus symptoms. During early stages, vision can be corrected with eyeglasses. As the condition progresses, rigid contacts may need to be worn so that light entering the eye is refracted evenly and vision is not distorted. You should also refrain from rubbing your eyes, as this can aggravate the thin corneal tissue and make symptoms worse. Keratoconus can also be treated with Intacs, which are small

curved implantable corneal devices that can reshape the cornea. Intacs are FDA approved and can help flatten the steep cornea found in keratoconus. Another treatment option for keratoconus that is not FDA approved yet is collagen cross-linking. Collagen cross-linking is a new treatment that uses a special laser and eye drops to promote “cross-linking” or strengthening of the collagen fibers that make up the cornea. This treatment may flatten or stiffen the cornea, preventing further protrusion. When good vision is no longer possible with other treatments, a corneal transplant may be recom-

mended. This surgery is only necessary in about 10 to 20% of patients with keratoconus. In a corneal transplant, your ophthalmologist removes the diseased cornea from your eye and replaces it with a healthy donor cornea. A transplanted cornea heals slowly. It can take up to a year or more to recover good vision after corneal transplantation. While a corneal transplant will relieve the symptoms of keratoconus, it may not provide you with flawless vision; however, of all conditions requiring corneal transplants, keratoconus has a lower rejection rate and the best prognosis for clear vision.

and special contact lenses to diagnose and treat a variety of eye problems, including keratoconus. We are proud to have a dedicated cornea specialist in our practice, and to have started a full corneal transplantation service at the local hospitals. In case collagen cross linking is to be tried on a research basis, we have connections with two centers offering this experimental technology. With our cornea service, we bring to our practice world class eye care closer to home. For more information, please see our ad on the front page.

At Milford Franklin Eye Center, we use state-of-the-art technology

73% of people who choose fitness as a New Years Resolution give up on them in less than 4 months: make 2014 the year you are in the 27% who sticks with it. CrossFit Tri County is a supportive, positive, welcoming community that will help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 18

January 1, 2014

APECS Crossfit BY MARJORIE TURNER HOLLMAN Jason Shea, owner of CrossFit Tri-Valley/APECS, 276 Village Street in Medway, discovered his passion for exercise when he first delved through the pages of a Muscle and Fitness magazine at age twelve. Inspired, he begged his dad to take him to the local gym to teach him how to work out. A competitive athlete in high school and college, he continued his commitment to working out. By nineteen, he was in college studying exercise science and already working as a certified personal trainer. This was the start of his career in a field he was and is clearly passionate about. Twenty years later, this passion is clearly visible to all that walk through the doors of APECS/CrossFit Tri-Valley, come in contact with Shea at his various speaking engagements, or those that read any of his publications. As the area’s longest running strength and conditioning center, APECS/CrossFit Tri-Valley is celebrating their tenth year of successful operation. This past summer they moved to their new cutting edge location on Village Street. “We have two separate indoor training areas, upgraded locker rooms, expanded outdoor training

grounds, a one-of-a-kind, private, 100X40-foot sandpit training area and about four acres out back for additional CrossFit style training,” Shea said.

Once an athlete or trainee has demonstrated these, we then allow them to increase their resistance and speed of movement.” Athlete strength and conditioning, team training, CrossFit classes, personal training sessions, and nutritional consult are all available at APECS/CrossFit Tri-Valley.

With the addition of CrossFit to their already highly successful APECS Strength and Conditioning operation, their business has flourished. “We offer the CrossFit program as our adult classes while the APECS side of the business is reserved for the athletes, teams, and private training. The CrossFit element emphasizes muscle confusion using a combination of methodologies including strength training, high intensity interval training, calisthenics, gymnastics movements, and Paleolithic style nutrition—eating lean meats, nuts, fish, fruits, vegetables, and good fats.” He explained, “Traditional training for adult populations may focus on targeted muscle group training, while CrossFit oftentimes utilizes total body training methodologies. It takes the trainee off the treadmills, elliptical, and stack loaded machines and puts the emphasis on barbell training, gymnastics, modified strongman elements, and high intensity metabolic conditioning. We have an intensive emphasis on proper technical execution, injury prevention, and structural balance.

Understanding how important the nutrition element is toward optimum health, Shea teamed up with highly reputable Certified Health Coach Kelly O’Rourke as their primary nutrition person. She provides nutrition intervention, health coaching and assists people with their nutritional needs. She offers individual consults, group classes and continuing education. CrossFit-Tri-Valley/APECS has also partnered with Laurie Warren, MS to offer clinical testing for nutritional needs. O’Rourke, also a CrossFit trainer, described the reason she came to work with Shea, stayed, and undertook intensive additional training to obtain her nutrition certification. “This is a results-driven place,” she explained. “I had been working elsewhere and wanted to go further.” Shea responded, “I saw in Kelly someone who was willing to put in the hard work that was required to reach that next level of fitness.” O’Rourke continued, “When I started working out here I began to learn at a higher level of health and wellness. I learned about nutrition, vitamins, body composition, hormones, strength, conditioning, and so much more. It is what inspired me to become a Health Coach.”

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Shea has a master’s degree in Human Movement, and is an adjunct professor of Exercise Science at Dean College in Franklin. He is also a board member of the Hockomock YMCA and columnist for the Metrowest Daily News, and author of three books, including the In-Season Training Manual and Lean Body Solutions (available on www.amazon.com). He is the Massachusetts Municipal Police Health and Wellness Coordinator. In this capacity he has written the instructor curriculum training manual for the Municipal Police Academies throughout the state. He is also responsible for structuring their training curriculum and development of continuing education for municipal police officers throughout the state. Shea is a Level IV Certified International Strength Coach through the Poliquin International Certification Program (PICP). According to the PICP website, http://www.poliquingroup.com/Ed ucation/PICP.aspx “PICP is the only certification program for strength coaches that requires recipients to produce results in the athletic realm to fully qualify. Level 4 and 5 is for well-established strength coaches who are interested in coaching at the international or professional level.” Clearly Shea has worked to learn the science of exercise, practices what he teaches, and is equally passionate about sharing what he has learned with others. His website is filled with valuable information in-

cluding articles he’s written on topics such as the effects of alcohol on fat loss, vitamin D toxicity, knee pains, back and ankle strains, practical stretching, and more. Shea speaks fondly about the accomplishments of the sports teams and athletes he and his staff have had the opportunity to work with over the past ten years. They have worked with multiple state title teams, high school superbowl teams, league champion teams from every sport, Massachusetts players of the year in multiple sports, All-Americans, nearly two dozen individual league MVPs, league all-stars in all sports, and much more. “I was already working with athletes in Medfield, Ashland, Bellingham, and Hopkinton, the Tri-Valley and Hockomock leagues when I decided to locate in Medway,” he explained. “I wanted a central location for all these clients. We are extremely flattered to have clients who come from Newton, Wellesley, Providence, and even Springfield to train here.” There is ongoing up-to date information on the APECS facebook page, www.facebook.com/APECSMedway which offers support for people who are working to improve not just themselves but their community as well. Gym hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., M-TH, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, closed weekdays from noon-3 p.m. Check out their website http://www.apecs.com/ for more information, and to register for classes, or call (508) 533-9005.

REBATES UP TO $1,925 FOR GAS or $950 OIL with 7 years to pay at 0% interest Maximize your savings by replacing your OLD heating unit now: It’s Coan to be warm and cozy this winter, with the Best for Le$$ Thank you for helping your neighbors! Last year we distributed 186,000 pounds of food to 1,590 people. The need in our community continues to rise steadily. We are committed to providing immediate relief from hunger while working towards healthy sustainable solutions.

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Donations of food and health care products can be dropped off at 43 West Central Street, Tuesday - Friday 9am-1pm.

apply including those as specified by MassSave.

We also have a bin by the front door to accept non-perishables after business hours. Monetary donations can be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin MA 02038. We are a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization FEIN#04-3272663.

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

January 1, 2014

Page 19

THE PURR-FECT CAT SHELTER Pet of the Month

Buffy Needs One-on-One Attention This New Year Beautiful "Buffy" with her amazing green eyes has been through a lot in her first year of life. A well-intentioned lady picked up Buffy and brought her into her home. She soon discovered that Buffy was pregnant. After Buffy gave birth, the lady found homes for the kittens and tried to introduce Buffy to her own cat. It was not a good idea, because Buffy had not been seen by a vet, nor had she been spayed. The cats did not get along, and PCS was called. Buffy is a young adult, brown tiger and has been vetted and spayed. She is a

sweet, gentle lady ready to find a quiet, adult home. If you are interested in adopting Buffy or any of our other cats available for adoption, visit www.purrfectcatshelter.org or call the message center for an adoption application. An adoption counselor will contact you once it's been received and reviewed. The Purr-fect Cat Shelter is a non-profit , no-kill, all volunteer organization caring for cats and kittens with the ultimate goal of finding permanent loving homes for each cat. Join us for our new, exciting fundraiser, "Messages from the Other Side" with Psychic Spirit Medium Lisa Lanno Sunday, January 26 at the Medway V.F.W. 123 Holliston St. Medway from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $25 each. Refreshments and cash bar will be available. For ticket information and more about this fundraiser visit our website www.purrfectcatshelter.org or call the message center at (508) 533-5855.

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 20

January 1, 2014

Peter Brock Honored with Legends Award

Peter Brock was the recipient of the 2013 Legends Award at the 8th annual Legends Ball for his passion, commitment, and advocacy for inclusion in our community for children and individuals with disabilities. This year’s Legends Ball took place at Lake Pearl Luciano’s in Wrentham on Tuesday, November 19th.

“We are proud to honor Peter Brock with our 2013 Legends Award. Peter’s incredible volunteer leadership and tireless commitment to our YMCA’s Integration Initiative has been the motivating force of the Legends Ball. It’s amazing what we’ve been able to create since our inaugural event in November 2006. It wouldn’t have been possible without Pete Brock,” says Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA. Pete Brock played all twelve of his professional football seasons with the New England Patriots from 1976 to 1987. His honors include the 1979 Unsung Hero Award, the 1984 Jim Lee Hunt

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Award, the 1985 Ed Block Memorial Courage Award, and in 1986, was Miller Lite’s NFL Lineman of the Year. Most recently, Brock was named 2013 Man of the Year at the NFL Legends Night dinner in October. Additionally, the readers of Patriots Football Weekly selected Peter for their Patriots “Team of the Century” at his center position, a distinction he also holds at his alma mater, the University of Colorado. He is the President of the New England Patriots Alumni Association and the Legends chair of the Hockomock Area YMCA. For the past eight years, Brock has served as Legend Ball Chair and it is a program near and dear to his heart as his brother Joe has special needs who has been successful in life because of the support of others in Oregon. It’s this experience that has motivated Pete to do the same for others here in New England and specifically at the Hockomock Area YMCA. Since 2004, the Integration Initiative, supported by the Hockomock Y’s Legends Ball and Legends Golf Classic, has positively impacted over 600 families by connecting children with special needs and their families to the community at large by removing barriers to inclusion. The Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative provides children with special

needs an opportunity to participate alongside their typically developing peers in YMCA programs and services. The program aims to improve social skills build self-esteem, increase physical activity and independence and to enhance mutual re-

spect among people of all abilities. Prior Legends Award recipients include: Rick and Dick Hoyt, Matt Light, Joe Andruzzi, Steve Grogan, and Andre Tippett.

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

January 1, 2014

Page 21

New Year, New Room: How to Create a Personal Decorating Plan A beautiful home doesn’t just happen. Good decorating is the result of good planning and should start by developing a comprehensive, detailed decorating plan. What should be included in your decorating plan? Everything that needs to be done, including timing priorities and budget. It’s vitally important to write down everything and be as specific as possible. Most people feel they need assistance in creating and implementing their decorating plan. Professional interior decorators

have the talent, experience and specialized knowledge to help you pull it all together. They can also save you time and money. After all, the most costly furnishings you will ever buy are the ones that prove to be mistakes! Here are a few suggestions that will help you understand your own preferences and prepare you to work with a decorator. Begin by collecting decorating magazines or design books. Consider cutting out photographs of furniture, styles, window treatments, color schemes,

floor and wall coverings, etc., that appeal to you. Then, compile everything you’ve collected into a notebook and organize it into sections for each room you’ll be doing. Perhaps you like doing everything online; www.houzz.com has become a great resource for many people to create “idea books” for each project and store them online. Be sure to comment on what you liked about each picture so that you will recall it when tackling each project. If you choose to work with a decorator, your preplanning will make

FSPA Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Complimentary Tickets Available for Prospective Students Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents an all-student production of the hit family musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, on Saturday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. at the New England Chapel, 40 Kenwood Circle, in Franklin. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Based on the biblical Joseph story, the lively Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical boasts catchy songs of many musical styles. The colorful and uplifting show for audiences of all ages features FSPA students in all levels of musical theater. FSPA is pleased to offer prospective students a complimentary ticket to the enduringly popular musical as part of the school’s All Access Pass program. Students interested in learning more about the school are encouraged to see the show and explore firsthand the quality, fun and excitement of performing arts experiences available at FSPA. To reserve a complimentary ticket for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, contact FSPA at (508) 528-8668 for more information and to schedule a free trial class or tour of the facility. With extensive programs in music, dance and drama housed under one roof in downtown Franklin, FSPA is well posititoned to offer a hands-on, interdisciplinary musical theater program. The curriculum enables students to

choose their level of involvement, and many options are available for once-a-week recreational enjoyment. Participation in performances is optional, but encouraged as a fun way to apply skills learned in the classroom and gain increased confidence on stage. Beginning in kindergarten, FSPA musical theater classes introduce students to basic skills in acting, singing and dancing and teach progressively more challenging musical theater technique and styles, involving more advanced song repertoire and scene work, as students grow and develop. Musical theater students may also design programs tailored to their own special talents and interests, drawing from FSPA’s wide-ranging classes in all three performing arts disciplines.

Ongoing performing opportunities are a hallmark of FSPA’s musical theater experience and an important part of students’ development. An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities at FSPA includes musical theater troupes, dance companies, studio voice recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, Glee Club, Obstreperous Rep theatrical ensemble, Project Dance, Ballet Conservatory presentations and instrumental ensembles. Many FSPA students are also cast in Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows. Registration is ongoing for all FSPA programs, with tuition prorated. Visit www.fspaonline.com for more information, including class schedule, course catalogue and event calendar.

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it much easier for you to communicate your likes and dislikes. Evaluate your present furnishing and decide what you would like to keep, eliminate, or r purpose. Keep an open mind as your decorator may see something you hadn’t considered. Write down the various items in your notebook. What will be your overall colors scheme? Does the carpeting need to be replaced? Which room would you

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Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 22

January 1, 2014

Hockomock YMCA Welcomes New Gymnastics & Dance Director The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin has hired Jodie Bedard as Gymnastics and Dance Director. Bedard brings more than 20 years of experience coaching both recreational and competitive gymnasts, and has personal experience competing up through USA Gymnastics level 10. She will be responsible for the management of the gymnastics and dance programs including program development, staff hiring and supervision, and building strong relationships with participants and their parents. In addition, Jodie will be managing summer gymnastics camp pro-

grams, as well as coaching the Hockomock Area YMCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitive gymnastics team based out of the Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Attleboro branch. Bedard first began coaching gymnastics as a teen, at the New York YMCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Gymnastics Training Camp in Huguenot, NY. Her career includes serving as the assistant womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gymnastics coach for Rhode Island College, where she was involved with all phases of the RIC womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gymnastics program, including recruiting, scouting, administering practice and meet coaching. Bedard has served as a coach at Ocean State School of Gymnas-

tics in Lincoln, RI for the past seven years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been involved in some way with the YMCA since I was 12 years old,â&#x20AC;? said Bedard, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so excited to have the opportunity to be here and be able to give back some of what my Y experiences have given me. I am here to bring the Bernon Family branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gymnastics program to a whole new level.â&#x20AC;? Jodie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she competed in their Division 1 Competitive Gymnastics program. She currently resides in Rhode Island with her daughter Madeline.

Announcing Our 2014 Season January 18th: January 30th: January 31st: February 7th: February 8th: February 16th: February 21st: March 22nd: March 23rd: April 6th: May 4th: May 17th: May 30th - June 1st:

Comedy Night with Tony V Jon Stetson, Ladies Only Psychic Experience

Weekly Mass to Be Celebrated at Cornerstone at Milford Starting Jan. 12th Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy have been asked to begin celebrating weekly Mass on Sundays beginning on the feast of the Baptism of Christ on January 12th. @ Cornerstone at Milford. This beautiful new facility for Seniors will officially receive the first residents on January 2nd.

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Cornerstone at Milford offers local seniors service-enriched Assisted Living and a state-of-the-art Compass Memory Support Neighborhood which is affiliated with the Boston University School of Medicine Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disease Center.

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We also will be making having Reconciliation once a month as well as joining residence on occasion praying the Rosary.

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We will continue to serve Tower Hill Nursing facility in Canton, Genesis Nursing and Rehab in Milford and Franklin Skilled Nursing while continue to make Eucharistic rounds to shut-ins all over Massachusetts, New Hampshire, & Vermont. Our weekly television show will also continue.

A Tribute to John Denver with Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon

Scarab: The Journey Experience The Glimmer Twins, A Tribute to The Rolling Stones Assisted Living: The Musical An Afternoon with FDR The Hal McIntyre Orchestra Featuring a Tribute to Sinatra Chris McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Memories of Elvis in Concert A Chorus Line

Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban

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Our ministries are supported totally through the donations of generous benefactors. Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy are part of the Independent Catholic Church of the Americas, an Old Catholic Faith Community serving All God's children especially those who are often forgotten or marginalized. We welcome all men and Woman, married and single, who feel called to serve God and God's children.

We publish the 1st of every month. Advertisement and editorial deadline is the 15th of each month.

Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

January 1, 2014

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Calendar of Events January 4 Children’s Grief Support Program Free and Open to the Public, 9:30 a.m. – 12 Noon Community VNA, 10 Emory St., Attleboro, Grief Program for Children Ages 5 - 13 years old, mgallacher@communityvna.com, www.communityvna.com or (774) 203-1311 The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Church in Franklin monthly food collection Coffee & Craft, Adult Program, 1:30 p.m., January 5 The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Church in Franklin monthly food collection January 9 Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Dean College Campus Center, Golder Room January 10 “Silly Science & Mystical Math” For Students in 1st - 4th Grade, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Franklin Public Library, presented by Gina McGarrigle from Self Help, Inc. Community Partnerships for Children. Your child will participate in different experiments and an-

swer a new question each month following the scientific method. Space limited and registration required. Please stay tuned to the library website for further information and a link to sign up. January 11 Franklin High School Cheerleaders bottle and can drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Franklin High School parking lot, 218 Oak Street in Franklin. January 18 Library Book Sale, Franklin Public Library, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with live string trio featuring classical music by Drew Ricciardi from 2-3 p.m. Pesky J. Nixon and Spuyten Duyvil, 7:30 p.m., Circle of Friends Coffehouse, First Universalist Society meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St, Franklin. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and all concerts start at 8:00 p.m., nonsmoking and alcohol free, $20, visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ January 19 Bag Sale, Franklin Public Library, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Come fill up a paper bag with books for $5. January 22 “Doggy Tales” Read to Dogs Program, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.,

Page 23

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Beginning January 2nd, young readers in grades 2 and up may sign up for a 15 minute time slot at the Library Circulation Desk or may contact Allison Medeiros at (508) 520-4940 x4516. January 23 Lego Mania for ages 6 to 12, 4 p.m., Franklin Public Library January 26 “Messages from the Other Side" fundraiser with Psychic Spirit Medium Lisa Lanno, Medway V.F.W. 123 Holliston St. Medway from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and proceeds benefit Purr-fect Cat Shelter. Refreshments and cash bar will be available. For information visit www.purrfectcatshelter.org or call the message center at (508) 533-5855.

January 27 LET'S LAUGH TODAY, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience, $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle. Visit www.letslaughtoday.com January 29 Teen Book Club, 6:30 p.m., Franklin Public Library, book is Divergent, by Veronica Roth. January 31 IStories, 10:30 a.m., Franklin Public Library, Watch and listen to a story, sing a song, play an instrument,

and do fingerplays. Using the iPad and projector makes it easy for everyone to follow along! Join us in iStories, our new monthly drop-in storytime. February 8 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Franklin School for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., New England Chapel, 40 Kenwood Circle, in Franklin. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Free tickets for prospective students, To reserve a complimentary ticket for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, contact FSPA at (508) 528-8668 for more information and to schedule a free trial class or tour of the facility.

Visit us online at www.localtownpages.com We publish the 1st of every month. Advertisement and editorial deadline is the 15th of each month. ASHLAND • FRANKLIN • HOLLISTON MEDWAY/MILLIS • NORFOLK/WRENTHAM • NORWOOD

Your Local Newspaper • Local Monthly News Direct Mailed & Online • Local Coupons Online • Grocery Coupons Online • Full Service Printing • Graphic Design

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Page 24

January 1, 2014

Franklin Sports Franklinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wheeler Excelled As A Patriotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cheerleader BY KEN HAMWEY Cassie Wheeler spent three years as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots and the Franklin High alum calls the experience â&#x20AC;&#x153;unbelievable.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Her duties took her to Asia, to Florida for a photo-shoot, and to Houston and Jacksonville for two of the Patriotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Super Bowls. Promoting the Pats was her calling card. The Franklin native, who now is 31, married and the mother of a son, proudly recalls her steps to the National Football League and how cheerleading led to exciting opportunities she likely never would have experienced. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started cheering at five at the Pop Warner level,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the 5-foot-2 Wheeler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next came Franklin High where we captured four regional and state championships and advanced to national competition three times. At Framingham State, I earned a role on the squad but later became a regular with the Boston Cannons pro lacrosse team.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Then, 2003 arrived, and for the next three years, Wheeler tried out for one of the 24 jobs with the Patriots. She was selected from a pool of 600 women three straight years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My first year I was selected as the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rookie of the year and for my final season I was the squadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s captain,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women can now cheer for the Pats for four years but it was limited to three when I competed.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Her trip to Asia was with the U.S. Air Force during Operation Pacific Greeting Corps. She and the other cheerleaders spent three weeks in Japan, Korea and Hawaii. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also with us was the rock group, Hootie and the Blowfish,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We entertained, signed autographs and performed dance shows. Ninety percent of being a Patsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cheerleader involves dancing. Our team also went to Florida for a photo-shoot and the two trips to the Super Bowls were simply amazing.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler says she would have worked her three years with the Patriots for no stipend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a part-time representative of the team, and you do get paid,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My time at the Super Bowls was a whirlwind experience. You soak it all in, knowing that it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last forever. Getting to the NFL is the highest achievement a cheerleader can attain. It was truly an amazing three years.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler, who is a registered nurse, works at Norwood Hospital and she recently opened a fitness studio called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Live.Love.Barre.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Located on 32A Main Street in Franklin, the facility offers a variety of modern classes that deal with physical fitness. A 2000 graduate of Franklin

High, Wheeler cheered for five years, starting as an eighth-grader. She also was her class treasurer for three years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My years in high school were thrilling,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Diane Simpson was our coach and she was greatly respected. She could motivate her girls.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; She did to the tune of state and regional titles and a variety of trips to the nationals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;High school cheerleaders are chosen mostly for school spirit, talent, grades and gymnastics ability,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the Patriots itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more about intelligence, being well-spoken, able to dance well and being physically attractive. At Franklin, we practiced hard and you had to deal with pressure to succeed. I was a flyer in high school. I was the girl being tossed into the air.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler never returned to Framingham State where she was majoring in nutrition. After her three years with the Patriots, she attended Laboure Nursing School in Boston. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to study nutrition,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew nursing was the right field for me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; For those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t regard cheerleading as a sport, Wheeler disagrees. She maintains the activity is grueling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes dedication, hard work, desire and athleticism,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physically demanding

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Athlete Cassie Wheeler spent three years cheering for the New England Patriots. Now a young Mom, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recently opened a fitness studio in Franklin.

and requires lots of gymnastics skills. At Franklin, you had to be able to perform a free-standing, back-hand spring. Competing at the nationals meant lots of concentration and battling some highlyskilled teams. Today, cheerleading continues to evolve at all levels and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become more complex.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Cassie Wheeler will never forget her three-year stint on the top rung of the cheerleading ladder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were three of the best years of my life,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wheeler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I even rode the duck boats during the Patriotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; championship parades in Boston.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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Franklin Sports Tri-County Volleyball Goes Far in Division 3 Tournament BY CHRISTOPHER TREMBLAY For the past five years the TriCounty girls volleyball team has been invited to the Division 3 Central State Volleyball Tournament. Having won back-to-back State Vocational Small School Championships, the Cougars went deeper into the Division 3 tournament than they’ve ever gone, eventually losing in the Semi-Finals to Blackstone 3-1. After winning 21 matches the previous two years and losing in the first round to Sharon and then Whitinsville-Christian in the Quarter Finals, Tri-County put together a 14-4 season in which they were awarded the Tri-County girls volleyball has had its most successful season ever, under Captains Lauren Hall and Shea number two seed in the state Sullivan. Sophomore Morgan Gould gave the great team an extra edge. tournament. The Cougars finished in second place in the Mayflower league to Bristol- late in the year,” the coach said. then challenged the team to go but the talent already on the “We started to notice her more the rest of the year without los- squad as well as those who will Plymouth. when she began hitting consis- ing again and although we did be moving up should adeLeading TC to its most im- tently and her being a little taller lose one more time we had a 10 quately fill the voids and keep pressive season were captains was also good for us defen- game winning streak.” the Cougars near the top of the Lauren Hall, a middle hitter sively. We just had to move her Mayflower League and hopeKing firmly believes that it who Coach Howie King calls up and into the starting lineup.” fully earn them a trip the Diviwas not all his actions that got the most intimidating on the sion 3 Central State Although the Cougars were the girls moving in the right diteam, and Shea Sullivan, an outChampionship. side hitter. Sophomore setter able to capture their second rection, but that of his JV Coach “It will be tough once again, Morgan Gould was also very in- straight vocational title, King Stephanie Caffrey. According was a little leery about it hapthe varsity skipper, Caffrey gets but these girls have done it and strumental in the team’s sucpening earlier in the year. a lot of the credit as her teams know what is expected of cess. have continually won 14 or 15 them,” the coach said. “Some “I really wasn’t sure if we “Morgan began starting late in games a year for the past five things will change here and could do it again this year. At the year for us and improved seasons. there, but the overall competieach time out,” King said. “It one point our record was 4-3, tion in the league will still be Once again Tri-Country will took the whole team, but she but I knew that we were better good. If we play well, then we was one of the main reasons that than that and too good to lose be losing three talented athletes will be rewarded.” we won states again this year.” any more matches,” he said. “I to graduation come next season, The three were also the recipients of the major team awards. Hall and Gould were named the Co-MVP’s, while Sullivan took home the Coaches Award for her performance on and off the court. Other key components to the squad were junior opposite hitter MacKenzie Easterbrooks, sophomore outside hitter Emily Sullivan, senior middle hitter Ashley Monerrotti and junior libero Sierra Brodeur. Sullivan, who was not on the team when the season began, surprised King the most. “She started on the JV team and was brought up

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January 1, 2014

Women and Financial Independence As we discussed in last year’s article on the growing increase in life expectancy (“Financial Security for Longer Life Expectancy” ), Americans are living longer. Women in particular are living well past the average life expectancy benchmarks. Recent longevity statistics tell us that women will generally outlive men by 5 to 7 years; the promise of a longer life is even better for those that are married. Most women of the “Baby Boomer” generation seem to realize that their life expectancy will exceed that of their parents' generation. Less obvious are the financial consequences of extended longevity. Boomer women have embraced living longer, but remarkably few of them have done the kind of retirement planning necessary to address that possibility. Studies indicate that less than one-third of women age 55 or older have enough retirement money to match income projections based on their average life expectancy and beyond.

So, what does all this mean for women in terms of graciously living out this expected and predictable extension of life? Our many years of experience tell us this: having a retirement plan that addresses this scenario is a necessary, and fairly simple, requirement! Here are three suggestions that will help you get off to a good start: 1. Be brave. Not having enough money for later life is a scary thought, and can be emotionally paralyzing. Instead of letting that fear lead to procrastination, take an objective and creative look at your situation. Explore your options…all of them, no matter how daunting or trivial. Simply being aware of the options for reducing your lifestyle can be empowering. For example, you may need to consider “downsizing” out of your family home. Getting through the emotional aspects of this decision is hard. But being brave, and being proactive about the idea of making a change, will help to strengthen feelings of being in control of your financial future.

2. Don't wait. Procrastination isn't an option. The planning and decision-making processes take time. Take one simple step right now: determine how much cash flow your current lifestyle is requiring each month, and make the necessary adjustments to your spending and saving habits with your retirement goals in mind. Get started now. It won't be easier or better or more comfortable if you wait to begin your planning process. 3. Be realistic. If you don’t have the experience or information to plan your financial future over the next 20 to 40 years, the “do-it-yourself” approach might not be for you. Ask for help! The statistics are staggering: 74% of women over the age of 50 don’t have a financial adviser to help walk them through this process. Start looking for someone to work with now. Interview tirelessly until you find the person who has both the credentials and personality you are comfortable with to help you on your journey. We’d love to share our expertise

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Management, Inc. a registered investment advisor located in Holliston, Mass. With Wall Street access and main street values Atlantic Capital Management has been providing strategic financial planning and investment management for over 25 years. On the Web at www.atlanticcapitalmanagment.com.

Too Late for 2013 Tax Planning? Guess again. 2013 is done, so 2013 tax planning is done too, right? Guess again. Although it’s true that most tax planning strategies are limited after December 31st, there is still a lot you can do to make the tax-filing season cheaper and easier.

Maximize Your Retirement Contributions If you haven’t already funded your retirement account for 2013, you still have time. Contributions to a Traditional IRA (whether deductible or not) and to a Roth IRA are available until April 15th, 2014. If you are self employed and have a Keogh or SEP-IRA, you have until October 15th, 2014, if you submit an extension of time to file your tax return. Not only will making a deductible contribution lower your tax bill, but your investment will compound tax-deferred. There are specific requirements and limits for each type of account so check with a qualified tax advisor on your specific situation.

Estimated Tax Payments If you don’t pay enough to the IRS during the year, you may be looking at a hefty tax bill come April. It is

possible that you might even owe penalties and interest on top of the tax. You could avoid any 2013 fourth quarter penalties on underpayment of tax if you submit a payment by January 15th 2014. Try not to over pay the tax however, because the IRS does not pay you any interest on the borrowed money called your refund. It is your money so plan accordingly.

Organization of Your Records Having your records organized may not save tax dollars, but will make your tax season less stressful. Start by keeping your prior year returns and tax documents in the same place. Collect all of your receipts and documents that may have piled up during the year (hopefully you already have a folder or file called “Taxes” to get you started). When your W2s, 1099s or other tax documents start arriving in the mail, put them all in the same folder and group them together in like categories. When beginning to prepare your return, work off a checklist or worksheet so you don’t overlook anything.

Take Every Deduction You Are Entitled To Often times, taxpayers overlook deductions or decide not to take certain deductions because they feel too they are being too aggressive. In order to minimize the amount of tax liability, take every deduction you are entitled to. If your qualified itemized deductions exceed your standard deduction, file with the higher amount. Some well known items that you can itemize are home mortgage interest, real estate taxes and charitable deductions. Other lesser known itemized deductions that you may be entitled to include job hunting expenses, unreimbursed employee expenses, and out of pocket medical expenses. If you are self employed, make sure you write off all of your expenses and be prepared to back these with receipts. One of the items self-employed individuals may be eligible for is the Office-In-Home Deduction. If you conduct business exclusively out of your home office, you may be eligible.

File & Pay On-Time If you can’t finish your return on time, make sure you file Form 4868 by April 15th, 2014. You will get automatic six-month extension of the filing deadline until October 15th, 2014. On the form, you need to make a reasonable estimate of your tax liability for 2013 and pay any balance due with your request. Requesting an extension in a timely manner is especially important if you end up owing tax to the IRS. If you file and pay late, the IRS can slap you with a late-filing penalty of 4.5 percent per month of the tax owed and a late-payment penalty of 0.5 percent a month of the tax due. The maximum late filing penalty is 22.5 percent and the penalty tops out at 25 percent. By filing Form 4868, you stop the clock running on the costly late-filing penalty.

Seek Help, If You Need It Low cost, affordable options to prepare and file your returns exist. If you are comfortable doing your own return, go for it. If you become uncomfortable or get in a jam, call a professional for added confidence and peace of mind.

Jeffrey Schweitzer can be found at Northeast Financial Strategies Inc (NFS) at Wampum Corner in Wrentham. NFS works with individuals and small businesses providing financial and estate planning, insurance, investments and also offers full service accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, income tax preparation, and notary public services. For more information, stop by the office, call Jeffrey at 800-560-4NFS or visit online www.nfsnet.com.

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January 1, 2014

Page 27

January Programs at the Franklin Public Library Join the excitement; join the fun!! Regularly Scheduled Programs Mondays Move Along for ages 0 – 5 years old at 10:30 a.m. This thirty minute program features music, movement, stories, instruments, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy. Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. No registration is required. Krafty Mondays for ages 6 to 12 at 4 p.m. A different craft will be offered each week. No registration is required. Weekly programs are as follows: • “Get Framed” Monday, January 6th You’ll be the center of attention in the picture frame you create. Be camera ready for us to snap your photo so you can design a frame for your picture. • “MLK Hand Flowers” Monday, January 13th In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, use your hands to create a beautiful flower. • “Superbowl Centerpiece” Monday, January 27th Get ready for kick-off by making a football themed centerpiece that will get everyone in the spirit of the game!

Tuesdays Toddler Playgroup at 10:30 a.m. Take a break and enjoy some playtime at this informal morning playgroup. The library will provide toys, music, and books for children who are accompanied by an adult. Connect with other parents and let little ones interact with one another. No registration is required. Story and Craft for ages 3 to 6 at 4 p.m. Stories, activities, and a craft for children ages 3 to 6 who are able to attend "on their own." This program lasts around 45 minutes. No registration is required.

Wednesdays

Lego Mania for ages 6 to 12

Terrific Toddlers for ages 0 – 3 years old at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 23rd at 4 p.m.

Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities for families and children from birth to age 3. No registration is required.

Use your imagination and build anything you like with our tubs of Legos! We have new Lego sets to put together and lots of regular blocks to use.

Thursdays

iStories

Story and Craft for ages 3 to 6 at 10:30 a.m.

Friday, January 31st at 10:30 a.m.

Stories, activities, and a craft for children ages 3 to 6 who are able to attend "on their own." This program lasts around 45 minutes. No registration is required. This is a repeat of the program held on Tuesdays at 4 p.m.

Watch and listen to a story, sing a song, play an instrument, and do fingerplays. Using the iPad and projector makes it easy for everyone to follow along! Join us in iStories, our new monthly drop-in storytime.

Join us on the last Wednesday of every month for discussion, food, & fun! This month we will be reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk for you to check out. Read and discuss the book before you see the movie!

Special Programs

Teen Programs

“Silly Science & Mystical Math”

Adult Programs

Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.)

Coffee & Craft

For Students in 1st - 4th Grade

Wednesday, January 8th at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, January 10th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. “Silly Science & Mystical Math” monthly programs will be presented by Gina McGarrigle from Self Help, Inc. Community Partnerships for Children. Your child will participate in different experiments and answer a new question each month following the scientific method. Space for this program is limited and registration is required. Please stay tuned to the library website for further information and a link to sign up.

“Doggy Tales” Read to Dogs Program Wednesday, January 22nd from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a therapy dog! Bring your favorite book or pick out one of ours to read. The dogs and their handlers are from Pawsitive Touch and are trained for one-on-one sessions. Beginning January 2nd, young readers in grades 2 and up may sign up for a 15 minute time slot at the Library Circulation Desk or may contact Allison Medeiros at (508) 520-4940 x4516.

Calling all teens: this is your chance to tell us what to do! Come help us plan teen programs, choose materials, and promote the library…we will provide the snacks. Membership looks great on job and college applications. Open to all in grades 6 - 12!

Teen Book Club Wednesday, January 29th at 6:30 p.m.

Socialize with others over coffee and show your creativity! Have fun working on a new craft each month that you will actually want to use in your home or give as a gift.

Library Book Sale Saturday, January 18th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stop by the library to explore our book sale going on all day with great deals on titles for everyone. Also, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM, be sure to join us for a live string trio featuring classical music by Drew Ricciardi.

Bag Sale Sunday, January 19th from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Come fill up a paper bag with all the books

Saturday, January 4th at 1:30 p.m.

Ring in the New Year with COLA BY KRISTEN ALBERINO Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Quincy, MA Many people ring in the new year with Champagne. People who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) get to ring it in with a COLA. This year, more than 60 million Americans are receiving a 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) in their monthly benefit payment. The 1.5% COLA begins with increased benefits for more than 57 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2014, and payments to more than 8 million SSI recipients in late December 2013. The estimated average monthly Social Security payment to a retired worker is $1,294 (in 2014), up from $1,275 (in 2013). The average monthly Social Security disability payment for an individual is $1,148 (in 2014), up from $1,131 (in 2013). The basic monthly federal payment for SSI is $721 (in 2014), up from $710 (in 2013).

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $117,000, up from $113,700. Of the estimated 165 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2014, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum. The amount of earnings needed for one credit of Social Security coverage has gone up as well, but all workers can still earn up to four credits in a year. In 2014, a worker earns a credit after earning $1,200. In 2013, one credit of coverage was $1,160. It takes forty credits to be fully insured for retirement benefits. Information about Medicare changes for 2014 is available at www.medicare.gov. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice to learn more about the COLA and other Social Security changes in 2014. From everyone at Social Security, have a Happy New Year.

We publish the 1st of every month. Advertisement and editorial deadline is the 15th of each month.

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January 1, 2014

Stony Brook Announces Its January Programming! Welcome in the New Year at Stony Brook! New Year, New Birds: Friday, January 3rd, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Keeping a yearly Bird List? This will get you off to a fine start, with site stops at the Lake Pearl Boat ramp for ducks and eagles, Diamond Hill Reservoir in Cumberland for gulls, Ellis Road fields in North Attleboro for sparrows and finches, and Birchwold Conservation Area in West Wrentham. Fee: $39m/$45nm Turtle Trekkers: Saturdays, January 4th and 18th, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Start your weekend off right with a fun and knowledgeable Stony Brook teacher on the trails learning about nature. Each day will have a special topic created to excite your child about the natural world. There will be crafts, activities and lots of laughter. So come and join the fun. This month’s themes: Tracks: Who’s Been Here/Winter Wonderland. Ages 2.9 to 6 with a parent. Fee: $5m/$6nm per person Products of the Hive: Sunday, January 12th , from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly! Believe it or not, these are all products of the honeybees. Tony Lulek, owner of Little Beehive Farm and current president of the Norfolk County Beekeepers’ Association, will share his knowledge of these products with you. There will be a honey tasting, a sampling of beeswax and other products of the hive. You will get to see the many uses of these products in the making of handmade soaps, hand creams, candles, food products and more. Fee: $3m/$5nm

Phenology-the timing of seasonal biological activities: Sunday, January 19th, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Become a “citizen scientist” and join the nationwide effort to understand the impact of climate change through the careful process of observing and recording easily observable plant processes such as flowering and fruiting. Learn how to identify the stages a tree goes through during the year. Data collected will be submitted to the USA National Phenology Network. Free! Winter Hike at Quabbin Reservoir: Saturday, January 25th, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The ‘dead of winter’ is not a good description when referring to the Quabbin! This pristine 18-mile long reservoir is secluded in almost 55,000 acres of uninhabited woodland. We will explore the area in search of Bald Eagles, Porcupines, Coyotes, River Otters, Common Ravens, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Adequate winter gear is a must. Bring Lunch. Fee: $60m/$70nm per person Pre-registration is required for all programs (except as noted). For more details, visit the Mass Audubon webpage at www.massaudubon.org or contact us at (508) 528-3140. Register by phone, email (stonybrook@massaudubon.org), fax (508-5533864) or in person. Stony Brook is located at 108 North Street in Norfolk.

Registrations are now open for the winter session of Franklin Adult Education. The classes include:

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Still Registering for Winter Classes at Franklin Adult Education!

P: F:

508-785-5050 781-295-2155

• Line Dancing - Line dancing is an easy way to have fun while you exercise. Suited to all levels. 8 Thurs., beg. Jan. 9, 2014 from 7-8:30 p.m. Cost: $88 • Zumba Mondays –You don't have to know how to dance to Zumba. 8 Mon., beg. Jan. 6, 2014 from 6:45-7:45 p.m. Cost: $48. NOTE: sign up for both Zumba Mondays & Zumba Thursdays for $90 and save $6! • Zumba Thursdays - 8 Thurs., beg. Jan. 9, 2014 from 7-8 p.m.. NOTE: sign up for both Zumba Mondays & Zumba Thursdays for $90 and save $6! • Local Beers – Jack’s Abby, Clown Shoes,

Berkshire Brewing, Mayflower. These breweries and countless others are making some of the best beer in New England. Class will focus on identifying house style and tasting some of the more interesting products. Class includes discount toward items tasted during class. Note: Must be over 21 years of age. Tues., January 7, 2014. Cost: $20. • Intermediate Co-Ed Volleyball - This course will provide a strong foundation in the basics of volleyball - mechanics of passing, setting, spiking and good positioning. 8 Mon., beg. January 6, 2014 from 7-10 p.m. Cost: $66. For more information, please contact the Franklin Adult Education office at (508) 541-2100 x 3178 or email adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us.

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January 1, 2014

Page 29

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Kuney-Todaro Team Finish Strong RE/MAX of New England Announced today that The Kuney-Todaro Team was #4 in New England and #2 in Massachusetts for the month of October. The Kuney-Todaro Team is moving ahead full force to finish 2013 with a powerful close. The team members are Tammy Todaro, a seasoned real estate salesperson with top production, and Lorraine Kuney, a team leader and the agent holding the #1 market share in the Town of Franklin MA. We are a small team, but our production exceeds every mega team in the town of Franklin MA. No one sells more homes than

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Congratulations to Tammy Todaro and Lorraine Kuney for another exceptional finish in the month of October 2013.

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January 1, 2014

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t, Franklin Offi er Stree ce/R m m etai Su l

uthgate Road, Franklin 23 So

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Susan Morrison

Nancy Maiorana

Helping Buyers and Sellers in Franklin and Surrounding Towns

treet, Franklin Office $90 0/m ain S M o 13

Eileen Mason

Eileen Mason 508-330-4234 emason11@verizon.net

Road, Franklin $499 bacco ,000 8 To

Susan Stivaletta

e, Norfolk $350 ire Driv ,000 7 Sh

Cindy Gleichauf 508-397-5204 cindygleichauf@gmail.com

our ying goals

g your first home, second home or nt home, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage programs to help you reach your

conventional and government loans

Susan Morrison 617-686-8178 susan.morrison1@comcast.net

Eileen Mason

uthgate Road, Franklin 8 So

SOLD

Susan Morrison

es Road, Frankli n 7 Symm

SOLD

e stone Stre t, Mendon $89 lack 5,00 B 0 162

Nancy Maiorana 508-847-3506 nancy.maiorana@yahoo.com

Reach your Reach your homebuying goals homebuying goals Susan Stivaletta

Way, Franklin $4 49,9 omena 00 Phil 2 2 Whether you’re buying your first home, second home or Whether you’re buying your first home, second home or refinancing yourcurrent current home, Wells Mortgage refinancing your home, Wells FargoFargo HomeHome Mortgage has the products and programs to help you reach your has the products and programs to help you reach your homebuying goals. homebuying goals. Tammy Todaro 508-277-2977 • Wide selection selection ofof conventional and and government loans loans • Wide government Tammy Todaconventional tammytodaro@gmail.com ro • Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) • Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) • New construction and renovation financing • New construction and renovation financing • Investment property financing

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For a complimentary complementary consultation consultation contect contact me today! today! For Whether you’re buying your first home, second home or Mary Beth Buliung refinancing your current home, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Whether you’re buying your first home, second or Consultant Homehome Mortgage Mary781-248-4303 Beth Buliung has the products and programs to refinancing help you reach your Office: your current home, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Home Mortgage Consultant eFax: 866-589-8976 homebuying goals. has the products and programs to help youmarybeth.buliung@wellsfargo.com reach your Office: 781-248-4303 Whether you’re buying your first home, second home or homebuying goals. www.mbbuliung.com eFax: 866-589-8976 refinancing your current home, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage • Wide selection of conventional and government loans NMLSR ID 19329 marybeth.buliung@wellsfargo.com has• Fixed the products and programs to help(ARMs) you reach your and Adjustable Rate Mortgages www.mbbuliung.com • Wide selection of conventional and government loans homebuying goals. • New construction and renovation financing NMLSR ID 19329 • Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) • Investment property financing Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. • Wide selection of conventional• New and government constructionloans and renovation financing AS944716 03/12-06/12

For a complementary consultation contact me today! • Fixed and Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) • Investment property financing Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. • New construction and renovation financing © 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. Mary Beth Buliung For a complementary consultationAS944716 contact me today! 03/12-06/12 • Investment property financing Home Mortgage Consultant

January 1, 2014

Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 31

Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com

Page 32

Franklin (508) 520-1600

Hopkinton (508) 435-3100

January 1, 2014

Walpole (508) 668-6300

SERVICE YOU DESERVE. PEOPLE YOU TRUST

Mike Colombo

NOW OPEN IN WALPOLE

COME VISIT US AT 896 MAIN STREET

508-668-6300

PRICE REDUCED

NEW LISTING

BELLINGHAM

52 Hixon Street, Bellingham

BLACKSTONE

43 Edgewater Drive, Blackstone

FROM ALL OF US AT REAL LIVING REALTY GROUP

NEW PRICE

PRICE REDUCED

NEW CONSTRUCTION OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4

$489,900

NEW LISTING

Matt Kelly

$209,900

Dawn Oliveira

Nick Petmezis

Chris Perchard

87 Maple Street, Franklin

FRANKLIN

50 Charles River Drive, Franklin

IN-LAW

$604,900

163 W. Central Street, Franklin

PRICE REDUCED

NEW CONSTRUCTION TOWN HOMES

FRANKLIN

45 October Drive, Franklin

$259,900

Arlene Kelly

Dick Thurston

Catherine Carrara

$289,900

30 Anthony Rd, Franklin

FRANKLIN

FRANKLIN $1,179,000

FRANKLIN

$289,900

FRANKLIN

Starting at $199,900 Franklin Heights

TOWNHOUSE

FRANKLIN $318,000

The Villages at Oak Hill Active Adult Community

51 Quince Landing, Franklin

Starting at $359,900

PRICE REDUCED

TOWNHOUSE

NEW CONSTRUCTION

UNDER AGREEMENT

HOPEDALE

MANSFIELD

MENDON

$229,900

12 Elmwood Ave, Hopedale

$239,900

177 Laurelwood Drive, Hopedale PRICE REDUCED

Starting at $239,900 South Common Estates

Kristen Spillane

Anthony Crugnale

$524,900

18 Blueberry Drive, Mendon

PRICE REDUCED

Ashley Moirano

Gerri Cassidy

NORFOLK $369,900

4 Cleveland Street, Norfolk

Barbara Scardino

Sheila McMahon

Lisa Perrin

WRENTHAM $710,000

124 Hemmingway Place, Wrentham

Bringing The American Dream Home

Real Living Realty Group

Kathy Dunne

Jaime Hogan

233 W. Central St. | Franklin, MA | ww.RealLivingRealtyGroup.com