No dating here

Joseph Franey was amused when he was told last week that the number listed for his children's phone in Verizon's yellow pages instead connects callers with a locally based nationwide dating service. "We haven't had to use that number in at least a decade." The phone number connects with Hingham-based The Right One dating service. Franey and his wife, Roberta, have eight children, ages 16 to 29. He said each has a cellphone. "Luckily, there's been no need to have a children's listing anymore," he said with a laugh. A message left for a Verizon spokesperson was not returned. "I'm not sure how long we've used this number," said Julie, who answered at the dating service and would not give her last name. "All I know is no one's ever called me here and asked for anyone's children." - Robert Carroll

METALS STOLEN FROM COMPANY - Brazen thieves stole $13,000 worth of copper wire and other metals, weighing several thousand pounds, from 3 Phase Elevator, a business on Brooks Drive. The company reported to Police Officer Kenneth Murphy that a storage container was broken into and the material stolen, according to Deputy Chief Russell Jenkins. Detectives were reviewing surveillance video.

- Matt Carroll

'DAYLIGHTING' IN SCHOOL - The cafeteria and one classroom at Deer Hill School will have a little more natural light this year - and the schools hope to have a lower electrical bill as a result - thanks to a "daylighting" project paid for by the state. The Alternative Energy Committee got a grant for what's called sun tubes to bring natural light into the building, according to Brian Adams, facilities manager for the schools. "They're pretty common in newer buildings being built with a green motto. You basically put a hole in the roof with a clear dome over it and a reflective cylinder going through the ceiling space that magnifies the light." Adams said the $14,000 state grant also includes tracking devices that will calculate how much natural light is produced in the rooms and how much less electrical light is needed. The project also includes three "vending misers," motion-detecting devices that turn off vending machines when nobody is using them. - Johanna Seltz

FUNERAL PLANNED FOR OFFICER - Funeral arrangements have been made for Mel Dyer, the 67-year-old Duxbury special police officer fatally injured when he was struck by a car at the Marshfield Fair. Visiting hours will take place tomorrow from 2 to 6 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home at 1755 Ocean St. in Marshfield. The funeral Mass will be said Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Christine's Catholic Church at 1295 Main St. (Route 3A) in Marshfield. Burial will be at a later date in the National Cemetery in Bourne.

- Emily Sweeney

BONDING IN MISSISSIPPI - Volunteerism runs deep in the Fournier family. Earlier this summer, Laurie Fournier was joined by her mother, Marlene Howard, 74, and her daughter, Nicole, 15, on a weeklong trip to Mississippi to lend a hand to the rebuilding that continues three years after Hurricane Katrina. Having three generations of family on hand to help rebuild decks, paint walls, and clear yards is a memory Laurie said she will never forget. "My mother and father (Ted Howard) were always volunteering and taught us to do the same," said Laurie, the director of business operations at the South Shore YMCA in Hanover. "One day I was talking to Nicole about the both of us going with our church to help rebuild down there and my mother overheard us. She said she wanted to go." Laurie said despite the time since the storm, the Gulf Coast area struggles to rebuild. "You see streets with some full houses but a lot of empty house foundations," she said.

- Robert Carroll

RECREATION DIRECTOR FIRED - The town is looking for a Recreation Department director, again. The Recreation Commission, an elected group, voted this month to fire director Kathleen Clarkeson, who was hired two years ago. The board voted, 3-1, with one member abstaining. "There were a multitude of reasons" for the decision to fire Clarkeson, "including her heavy-handed treatment of staff and breakdown in communication with us," said commission chairman Frank Jones. The commission named Clarkeson's assistant, Mark Thorell, as interim director while it decides how to fill the job permanently.

- Johanna Seltz

NEW PRINCIPAL ON BOARD - Holbrook Junior/Senior High School has a new principal with a strong background in improving student learning. Joseph Baeta, the former curriculum director at Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin, replaces Edward Dunn, who is now the director of curriculum for Holbrook. This is Baeta's first time as principal, and he said he is enjoying preparing for the start of school. "We're off to a good start, waiting for teachers and students to come back into the building," Baeta said. Students return Sept. 3. The new principal is also working on his doctorate; his goal is to graduate in 2010. - Franci Richardson Ellement

PARAGON ORGAN RESTORED - Artist James Hardison unveiled the restored 1926 Wurlitzer organ at the Paragon Carousel last week and said it should be in place and playing "the world's happiest music" by the end of this week. Hardison spent the last five years rebuilding the facade of the organ, carving a new crown and painting scenes of Hull - including Boston Light and the Hull 2 wind turbine - on the sides. "It's not the original one from Paragon Park. Legend has it that the park owner lost that one in a poker game," Hardison said. "This one has been in Hull for over 20 years but was originally with a traveling show and was beat up pretty bad. We went through it soup to nuts. The facade is nice and bright now - with 24 carat gold leaf on all the carvings and bronzing powder." The inner workings of the organ were restored by R.A. Newman Co. of Rhode Island.

- Johanna Seltz

ABSENTEE VOTING SEPT. 9 - The town clerk's office will open Sept. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. so registered voters can cast an absentee ballot for the Sept. 16 state primary election. Registered voters may request an absentee ballot application if they will be out of town on primary day. The clerk's office will close at noon Sept. 15 so the staff can set up the polling locations, and remain closed until 1 p.m. Sept. 17 to process returns. Voters in precincts 1, 2, and 3 vote at Kingston Elementary School and are asked to enter through the side cafetorium entrance by the paved walkway. Precinct 4 voters vote at Town Hall.

- Robert Knox

WATER, SEWER RATES GO UP - Water and sewer rates are going up in Milton. A family of four will pay about $397 per quarter, up from $373 last year, said Walter Heller, director of the Department of Public Works. - Matt Carroll

RAPE DEFENSE CLASS FREE - The Police Department is accepting applications for a coming free self-defense course for local women. The Rape Aggression Defense system (RAD) course will be taught in four sessions, from 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 8, 10, 15, and 17 at the Sparrell School. Norwell police have offered the class twice before. The coming course will be taught by three RAD-certified Norwell police officers. To register, go to www.norwellpolice.com or call 781-659-7979. - John Laidler

LOWDOWN ON HOEDOWN - Residents can enjoy a late summer gathering while helping preserve the town's history. The Pembroke Historical Society is selling tickets to its first-ever Hoedown, which will be held Sept. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event, under a large tent on the town green, will feature a square-dancing exhibition; regular dancing with a live band; a country buffet; and wine and beer. Proceeds will help fund the upkeep of the society's historic buildings. Tickets cost $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. They are available at Hannon-Ryan Insurance or Sovereign Bank, or by calling 781-293-9083.

- John Laidler

CANDIDATE FORUMS - The Plymouth Area League of Women Voters will host two candidate forums, Thursday and Oct. 2. At the first forum, Christine James of WATD-FM (95.9) will pose questions to the four Democratic candidates running for county commissioner and the two Democratic candidates running for county treasurer. The Oct. 2 forum will feature all candidates running for county commissioner and treasurer. Both events start at 7 p.m. in the Mayflower Room at Plymouth Town Hall, 11 Lincoln St.

- Emily Sweeney

HELP ADULTS LEARN TO READ - Looking to make a difference? Literacy Volunteers of America, a program at the Thomas Crane Library, is looking for volunteers to help adults learn to read and write. The program needs people for one-on-one instruction. There are orientation sessions Wednesday, Sept. 10, or Monday, Sept. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 40 Washington St. To register or to get information, call Literacy Volunteers at 617-376-1314. - Matt Carroll

ARTS IN PARK BIGGEST EVER - About 50 groups participated in the Arts in the Park Family Day at the Williams Gazebo last Sunday, making it the largest in its 30-year history. "This gives residents a chance to see what Randolph has to offer," said Lesley Freed, a member of the Randolph Community Arts Council, which sponsored the event. The festivities started with a children's bicycle parade and included performances by dance groups, magicians, martial artists, and singers. Dozens of groups, from crafters to food vendors and local clubs, set up tables and tents to show off their wares. The event was covered by local figure Ken Simmons of Randolph Community Television and will be rebroadcast on Channel 8. Check randolphcommunitytv.com for times.

- Wendy Chow

CUSTOMERS HELP TOWN GO GREEN - The use of renewable energy sources by 14 electricity customers in Rockland is helping the town's Energy Committee save up to invest in renewable energy sources. So far the town has earned more than $2,200 through a clean energy choice program sponsored by National Grid and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The customers agree to pay between $5 and $12 more a month to purchase energy from renewable sources such as hydroelectric power, biomass, solar, and wind power. The collaborative provides a matching grant to the town, and if more customers participate, the town will get more. The Energy Committee is considering a wind turbine and solar panels on town-owned buildings as a way for the town to reduce its energy bills. - Steve Hatch

EMPTY OUT ELECTRONICS - Residents and out-of-towners can get rid of surplus electronic items while supporting a community cause. The Scituate Visitors Center is holding an electronic waste recycling day next Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the intersection of Henry Turner Bailey and Gannett roads and Country Way. Copiers, computers, cellphones, radios, stereos, microwaves, and printers will be accepted, as will lawnmowers empty of gasoline and oil. Fees of $5 to $45 per item will be charged. CREW, the recycling company making the collection, will donate a portion of the proceeds to the center, a nonprofit that is rehabilitating the Work Progress Administration building in North Scituate. All items will be disposed of at recycling facilities. For more, call 781-545-2788. - John Laidler

CHORALE INVITES SINGERS - Singers are invited to join the Fine Arts Chorale, a community chorus with about 50 members, to perform Mozart's Requiem. The chorale's director, Libor Duda, will rehearse the singers and, after a short break, the group will perform the Mozart in its entirety. Singers can bring their own scores or borrow one from the Chorale. Soloists will be Anastasia Nikolova, Amanda Keil, Keith Brinkley, and Taylor Stiltson. The event takes place at Old South Union Church, 25 Columbian St., at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3. Admission is $8 for singing participants and $5 for audience members. For more, call 800-230-7555. - Johanna Seltz