Some things there really aren't words for. The best reporters can separate themselves and observe what is going on and seemingly just document without feeling.

​But what what this reporter saw is not observably documentable without shedding a tear.

Less than 48 hours earlier, a mother of a young baseball player died. The reports of how are horrifying and tragic.

They launched several balloons as they observed a moment of silence and reflection before the game.

​The team circled the pitchers mound and friends and family of Jones were invited to join.

​The teams who were slated to play on the other two fields at Hasson lined up to honor Dunkle and support Jones.
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A community fumbles to find ways to cope with the inexplainable.

So they released some balloons, delved deep into their thoughts together and set up a means to collect funds to help a grieving family with expenses.

They passed the hat around the three fields in the park.

Gardinier-Warren Funeral Home  set up a means for people to contribute and the little league association too is ready to help. 

League coordinator Paul Myers  said donations can be made at games at Hasson or by contacting the funeral home at 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, Pa. 16323.

HOLeY Jeans is a group that finds time to give a little something extra to everybody. They play church's, community events and wherever there is need of song. Recently they sang for the monthly community dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin.

The church hosts free community meals every third Wednesday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for anyone who wants to join them. Last month they served up meatball subs while HOLeY Jeans sang.

Heise said she is one of 12 Pennsylvania music educators that were named quarterfinalists. She said there are 212 nationwide.

"I feel very honored that I have gotten this far," she admitted. Though she doesn't do any thing for personal recognition she admitted it was "pretty cool" to see her name on a list associated with the Grammys.

One of her mentors, Genevieve Davis, who overcame childhood polio to have a long life and career in music, told her something that keeps driving her to this day. "She told me that anybody can sing."

She has two family members who have cognitive difficulties, but through music they find such joy. One can remember the words to 100s of songs. "When she listens to music and the tears run down her face. Music is the reason she lives," Heise said.

​Things like that are what drive Heise and help her reach students. "That is the reason I teach music. I have students (who) might struggle in school that come into my class and be at the top."

Heise has to now create a couple videos to submit for further review by the Grammy's committee.
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One is her teaching. The other is answering questions about her philosophies on teaching. "I admit I'm a little scared about this," she said yet it's also what intrigues her about the award.

A lot of music teachers give so much of themselves to the kids and deserve recognition, she said. For this award it's more than just the work music educators do, it delves into the why. She said she really hopes she can put into words what she knows in her heart.

Franklin Gardeners Association annual May Garden Mart filled Franklin's Fountain Park with people and plants Saturday.

The weekend mart will again be open for business Sunday with thousands of items from perennials to lawn ornaments.

​There are also several food vendors to choose from.

Thursday night Chris Luxbacher's Rocky Grove junior and senior high bands showed off the tunes they've been working on this winter and spring, including a finale of the Star Wars themes song.

The evening kicked off with the junior high kids performing Steve Hodges Arocknophobia, Michael Story's The Curse of Tutankhamun, Ancient Echoes by Ed Huckerby and Malagueña, arranged by Michael Sweeney.
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The jazz band then took the stage to play another Sweeney arrangement Route 66, John Bery's The Girl for Ipanema and Brick House arranged by Paul Murtha.

The bands then left the auditorium briefly and the senior high band took to the sage for the final six songs.

The senior high players opened with David Shaffer's Freefall followed by a Ted Ricketts arrangement of The Pirates of the Caribbean and David Shaffer's Last Ride of the Pony Express. They also played a version of John Lennon's Imagine.

Then they concluded with an instrumental "May the Fourth be with you" greeting by playing a Star Wars arrangement as an acknowledgement of the concert's date.

​It was a double-duty birthday party Wednesday night at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

The popular community theatre is marking three decades of shows on Liberty Street in Franklin with a series of special events throughout the year.

​But on Wednesday, they shared the spotlight with board member Mary Ann Richardson, who turned 90.

First off, Steve Johnston emailed me earlier today asking  if I would cover one of the upcoming Franklin music department shows. He listed four, one of which was tonight.

I've come to know and respect Steve over the years and I've been blown away by some of the performances I've had the privilege to cover. He appears to be a teacher who demands a lot of his students, but knows they can deliver.

His students praised this in him. One student matter-of-factly said that he doesn't really get interested in much, but "J" (as the students call him) helped him find a love of music - helped him find purpose. And that was echoed several times.

This took my mind to Mr. King in my youth. Tom King was the guy who put a camera in my hand. Other than my grandmother and my parents I'm not sure anyone has given me such an important gift. 

And that gift came from that same place Johnston and other mentor teachers give from - their soul.

Listening to Johnston made me think of my friend and mentor Enrico Pinardi.

I think many of us have this person, or maybe persons.

​Writing this I am thinking of Chuck McCleary and Jim Stefanucci too. Folks who see in us something and then help us figure it out. I know I owe these folks, and many others, my life and I saw that tonight in the student's praise of their teacher.

I couldn't play, have now rhythm, but I can listen and be moved. I learned how even a few notes without words even, could tell a story.

​I later learned of the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

​Even though I wasn't a huge fan I began to realize how much he influenced how I appreciated music and found other music that took my mind places.

When everyone gathered for the 110th annual Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce annual celebration, there were a handful of the 100-plus people who were in on a big secret. They were all part of the ruse to get Witherup Fabrication & Erection owners Greg Piercy (president) and Jason Woolcock (vice president) to attend.

​At the end of the evening, to the delight of many in the room, they were named the 2023 Business of the Year. 

“If this evening’s recipient is surprised, I will be so happy,” said chamber director Jodi Baker-Lewis before describing the business without revealing its name. “I’ll bet most of you have heard of this business but have no clue where they are located,” she said. “For not quite 3/4 of a century, they have been respected leaders in their particular industry.”

Witherup Fabrication & Erection was started in 1954 by four brothers and owned by the family for decades. The company designs, fabricates, erects, and tests welded storage tanks of all sizes at its facility in Kennerdell.

A few years ago it was sold to Piercy and Woolcock who have continued the business’s reputation of being charitable and supportive of its employees, their communities and the causes that matter to them — such as Little League, schools, fire departments, United Way, and the chamber.

“Throughout their many years in business, they have been a huge supporter of our communities and organizations, and even more importantly, they supported the organizations which matter to their employees,” Lewis said. “Friends, it has been a long time since such kind words were spoken in letters of support from employees.”

Photographers who had the pleasure of working with Franklin Events and Marketing director Ronnie Beith would often receive a two word praise - "Great shots!" under their social media posts. She would occasionally even post her affection in all caps.

Though I don't shoot a lot of scenics like these, the few I did she would always comment and share.

I thought about that when I took this picture below knowing she would love this photograph because it is so Franklin with the courthouse in the background. I think she'd even like the one above.

It's funny how much you can feel the impact of someone even though they are gone.  I can't say for certain she would like this picture, but I heard her voice say "Great shots!" inside my head as I thought of her.