What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, January 19, 2026 ???

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Town offices, Library, Senior Center & Schools closed today

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Letter from Birmingham Jail - by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

From the Birmingham jail, where he was imprisoned as a participant in nonviolent demonstrations against segregation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in longhand the letter which follows. It was his response to a public statement of concern and caution issued by eight white religious leaders of the South. Dr. King, who was born in 1929, did his undergraduate work at Morehouse College; attended the integrated Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, one of six black pupils among a hundred students, and the president of his class; and won a fellowship to Boston University for his Ph.D.

16 April, 1963

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

By Nobel Foundation - Description page (direct link), Public Domain, Link

I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against “outsiders coming in.” I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our affiliates. Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program if such were deemed necessary. We readily consented, and when the hour came we lived up to our promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here.

But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.

You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city’s white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.

In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these conditions, Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to engage in good faith negotiation.

Continue reading the letter -> https://letterfromjail.com/

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau Announces Annual Tourism Summit on February 26

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau (MBVB) will be holding their Annual Tourism Summit and Legislative Breakfast, entitled “The World Is Coming: Preparing for Visitors, Impact & Opportunity”, on February 26 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center. 

Stacey David, Executive Director,
MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

The event is open to everyone, and will include a travel and hospitality industry update, both at the regional level delivered by MBVB Executive Director Stacey David, as well as at the state level, given by Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. 

Additional speakers include Kerrie Tripp from Discover New England, who will update on the expectations for international travelers for World Cup, and Senator Becca Rausch, who will speak about the power of arts, culture, and the creative economy to drive tourism and uplift our communities. 

The second half of the program will include an update on World Cup expectations for the area, including plans for a MetroWest Regional Fan Zone in multiple communities, as well as a panel discussion on creating pop-up businesses in your town for economic development, both to capitalize on World Cup travelers and year-round. 

The event will end with optional tours of the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance hotel (formerly the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center). All businesses in MetroWest and the surrounding communities are invited to attend, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, non-profit arts & culture organizations, retailers, town administrators, and more. Registration is required. 

To view the full agenda and register, please visit www.metrowestvisitors.org/annual_meeting.

www.metrowestvisitors.org/annual_meeting

AGENDA:

Stacey David

Executive Director, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

Stacey will give a year in review on MetroWest, including visitor data and a recap of last year’s MBVB marketing results, followed by this year’s plans for promoting MetroWest to various market segments, including World Cup travelers…and how you can benefit.

Senator Becca Rausch

Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District

Senator Rausch will speak about the power of arts, culture, and the creative economy to drive tourism and uplift our communities.

Kate Fox

Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

An update on the domestic and international destination marketing strategies underway at the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, plus stats and data on MA’s visitors.

Kerrie Tripp

Director of Products & Sales, Discover New England

Kerrie will offer insight into international traveler profiles, trends, and predictions, and the best ways to capture World Cup and other international tourists, including how to work with receptive tour operators.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is Coming!

Learn about Boston World Cup’s plans and predictions regarding travelers for World Cup, hear about MetroWest’s plans for fan zones and watch parties, and how you can get involved for this worldwide event that will bring 2 million visitors and $1B of economic impact to Massachusetts.

Panel: How Pop Ups Drive Economic Development

Learn about the benefits and logistics of creating pop ups in your town for economic development. Lindsey Jaworek of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation will talk about their permanent seasonal pop up shops. Beth Reynolds, Assistant Town Manager in Ashland, will discuss how Ashland uses pop ups at events to drive foot traffic and enhance special events. Cory Shea, Franklin's Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, will share how to revitalize downtowns by creating pop up shops in empty storefronts. We will also explore how pop ups allow local artists and retailers to launch new businesses with minimal investment, and how you can create these opportunities in your community in time for World Cup visitors.

Hotel Tour

Join GM David Laurent and his team on a tour of the newly renovated and rebranded Renaissance Framingham Hotel & Conference Center

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic development through travel and tourism throughout the 19 towns of the MetroWest region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough. For more information, please visit the MBVB website at www.metrowestvisitors.org.

Audio recording of the Jan 7, 2026 Franklin (MA) Town Council in 3 parts: Facilities, 40B, & everything else

FM #1632-33-34 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1632-33-34 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1632 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and everything else except  (approx. 1 hour 36 mins)

• the Facilities presentation & discussion (see 1633) 

• and the friendly 40b policy discussion (see 1634)  

• 1633 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the Facilities update from Kevin Harn  (approx. 1 hr. 27 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the charter change process  (approx. 1 hr. 5 mins)

  

Audio 1632 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1632-town-council-mtg-part-1-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1633 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1633-town-council-mtg-part-2-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1634 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1634-town-council-mtg-part-3-of-3-01-07-26/

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-approves-amended-friendly.html 

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

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

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

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

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

I hope you enjoy!

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

Franklin Panthers Girls Basketball Fundraiser open through Feb 2, 2026

Franklin Panthers Girls Basketball Fundraiser open through Feb 2, 2026

"LET’S GO, PANTHER FANS! 

Our Lady Panthers are fundraising for the 2025/26 season and we need your support!  All funds go straight back to the team for essentials like equipment, uniforms, travel, and more. 

• Tap the link in bio to donate!
• Share to spread the word!
• Together we can hit our goal! "

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DTn_nhwFJyV/

Use the QR Code or this link ->   https://raise.snap.app/donate/lady-panthers-basketball-2025?share_type=QR_code

Tri-County participates again in the HUNCH Program

Tri-County participates again in the HUNCH Program

"Our Engineering Juniors are diving into this year’s HUNCH projects, and the creativity and determination they’re bringing to the table are next‑level.

From brainstorming innovative solutions to building prototypes that could one day support real NASA missions, this team is pushing boundaries and thinking big. Their problem‑solving skills, teamwork, and passion for engineering are already shining through.

We can’t wait to see how their ideas take shape — and just how far their hard work will go. The future is wide open for these young engineers "

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HGn2wdQHW/

FHS music students perform at Districts

FHS music students perform at Districts

via FHS Music Boosters

"Congratulations to all the FHS students that participated in the Sr. Districts concert at Mechanics Hall yesterday!"

Shared from (includes additional photos) -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JfwKc1Sb2/

Register O’Donnell Wraps Up 18th Annual Toys for Tots Drive

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell distributed donations from the Registry’s 18th Annual Toys for Tots Drive to Sergeant Mathew Iles and Corporal Quinn Sharrow, both with the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines and representing Toys for Tots, during a pickup event.

Sergeant Mathew Iles and Corporal Quinn Sharrow

With the help of the local community, business owners, and Registry staff, the Registry of Deeds collected more than 100 gifts during the drive. Register O’Donnell expressed his gratitude for the generosity of county employees, title examiners, attorneys, and residents from across Norfolk County for contributing to this year’s Toys for Tots Drive.

 

“I would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the Registry’s 18th Annual Toys for Tots Drive. We are grateful for the service of all veterans past and present and are, as always, honored to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their annual toy drive, which helps make the holiday brighter for so many,” said Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell.

 

Since 2006, the Registry of Deeds has collected more than 1,950 donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

 

“We can’t possibly do this without the support of the local community, and seeing people come out to donate means everything. Doing an event like this is a great feeling, knowing that I am volunteering and giving back to my community by making sure everyone has the opportunity to have a happy Christmas,” said Marine Corporal Quinn Sharrow.

 

This year marks the 78th anniversary of Toys for Tots. The program was established in 1947 when the wife of a Marine major wanted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas but couldn’t find an organization to accept it.

 

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program’s mission is to help less fortunate children experience the joy and happiness associated with Christmas. The program operates in more than 800 cities and towns throughout all 50 states. Since its start, the national program has delivered more than 677 million donations.

 

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @norfolkdeeds.

 

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

 

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 307 - Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad (audio)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!

Episode 307 - Wine Social
Media Star Kelly Axelrad

Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad

Dive into a fascinating episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) as hosts Kim and Mark sit down with the powerhouse wine entrepreneur and social media superstar, Kelly Axelrad!

From college wine enthusiast to one of the top wine influencers in the world  with over 175K followers — how did she do it? Kelly pulls back the curtain on her remarkable journey, sharing stories from her extensive travels to over 700 wineries and how she cultivated her deep passion and knowledge for wine.

But Kelly isn't just an influencer; she's a winery owner! Get the inside scoop on her Sonoma, CA-based company, Carnival Wine Co. (www.carnivalwineco.com)

Carnival Wine Company, which specializes in fabulous sparkling wine. She'll discuss her winemaker, where she sources her grapes, and what makes her bubbly so special.

Plus, if you're curious about content creation and personal branding, this episode is a must-listen! Kim and Mark grill Kelly on the secrets of her social media success, including:

• Her content approach and strategies.
• How she promotes her brand and chooses collaborations.
• How she balances her life as a global wine adventurer and a full-time social media personality.
• Don't miss the chance to learn from a true wine industry innovator!

Find Kelly's incredible content on Instagram @kellyaxelrad

Cheers, 

Kim and Mark 

🍷🍷🍷 

www.thewww.wine

Episode 307-Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad by The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) https://www.thewww.wine/episode-307-wine-social-media-star-kelly-axelrad/

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 307-Wine Social Media Star Kelly Axelrad

Spring Rain Barrel Program Open

Visit: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/, to order your rain barrel today!

Spring Rain Barrel Program Open

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DS4h7mo8r/

DoubleGood popcorn fund raiser - find a student to buy from beginning Jan 26, 2026

DoubleGood popcorn fund raiser - find a
student to buy from beginning Jan 26, 2026

We are running a fundraiser for Class of 2026 with Double Good Popcorn that will begin on January 26th and end on January 30th.

Selling $200 worth of popcorn will earn you a FREE banquet ticket!

Scan the QR code attached to the flyer to get started on the app!

Shared from ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTiruGrCV7Z/

Note: The link is meant for the students to do their fund raising  https://dgpopup.app.link/swlp

Temple Etz Chaim Mah Jongg classes scheduled beginning in March, 2026

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

We invite you to participate in a five-day instructional program designed for beginners. The final session will be dedicated to practice play. 

Seating is limited. 

Participants will be given Mah Jongg cards to borrow for the duration of the course. 

Session Dates

• Sunday, March 1: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
• Tuesday, March 3: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
• Monday, March 9: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, March 11: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
• Sunday, March 15: 1:00 - 5:00 pm

 

$60 Temple Etz Chaim (TEC) Members

$70 Non-TEC Members

Registration/payment form -> https://templeetzchaim.shulcloud.com/form/learn-to-play-mah-jongg.html

Tell Corporate executives not to cooperate with ICE

Tell Corporate executives not to cooperate with ICE

"TELL CORPORATIONS DON'T COOPERATE WITH ICE!!

We're asking people to contact major companies and urge their leadership not to cooperate with ICE or allow ICE operations in their facilities.

Workers, customers, and communities deserve safety, dignity and transparency. Corporate leaders should be accountable to the people they impact.

Join us for a week of action!!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DToq2CQkVkq/

New map shows how to spot the measles risk level in your ZIP code - ABC News

For the first time, a map has been created that allows people to type in their ZIP code and see an estimated percentage of their neighbors who have been vaccinated against measles.

New map shows how to spot the measles risk level in your ZIP code - ABC News

Shared from -> https://abcnews.go.com/Health/new-map-shows-spot-measles-risk-level-zip/story?id=129179712

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, January 19, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.   

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.  

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday - Franklin Public Radio

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, January 19, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

7:00 am Aging Boldfully: Look Back then Move Forward

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

9:00 am U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Broccoli Salad

1:30 pm      Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

5:30 pm Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

7:00 pm Frank's Musings: Venezuela

10:00 pm Circle of Friends: Ellis Paul

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

10:30 am FHS Winter Jazz 01-29-25

12:00 pm Middle School Winter Music: 2025: Band

1:30 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 01-05-23

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Stoughton 01-13-26

5:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Oliver Ames 01-15-26

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board 01-12-26

2:00 pm Planning Board 01-12-26

5:00 pm Finance Committee 01-14-26

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

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