Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
The Thanksgiving edition of FM Journal celebrates the people, traditions, and community spirit that make Franklin special.
The program looks back at the Franklin Rotary Club’s 10th Annual Car Show, featuring classic cars, hot rods, and vintage trucks, with coverage by local historian and auto enthusiast Joe Landry.
Viewers will also visit Union Street Cemetery, where Dr. Rob Lawson of Dean College joined students, faculty, and local history enthusiasts to help preserve the cemetery’s historic marble markers.
There’s plenty of seasonal fun, too, with highlights from the Franklin Children’s Museum’s Scary Scurry 5K, local Trunk or Treat events, and the Franklin Police Department’s Halloween celebration.
The program also revisits the Senior Expo at the Franklin Senior Center, where more than 40 vendors connected residents with valuable services and resources.
In the spirit of giving, FM Journal visits the Santa Foundation to spotlight its mission of bringing holiday joy to local children and families. Viewers will also experience the color and traditions of the Indian Cultural Association of Franklin’s ninth annual Navratri Festival.
Host Liz Kalaijian rounds out the program with a preview of upcoming community events, including Santa on the Common, Winter Wonderland, A Wreath of Franklin, Franklin Restaurant Week, and the Franklin Food Pantry’s Turkey Trot.
Tune in to the Thanksgiving edition of FM Journal Monday, November 9th
5:00 PM on the All Access cable channel (Comcast - 6, Verizon - 26)
and celebrate the people and stories that make Franklin home.
Watch Franklin TV for local programming and community coverage, and visit Franklin.tv to explore the program guide and stay connected with what's happening around town.
This is your community, and these are your stories.
FM #1853 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1853 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the new First Universalist Society of Franklin minister, Reverend Chris Scheller. We talk about his journey to ministry and his role here in Franklin.
The audio recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Reverend Chris.
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"
This month, our `Second Sunday Speaker' is Sam Oppenheim, a retired academic with a deep knowledge of 20th century history, particularly that of Eastern Europe.
After touching on Franklin’s large involvement in the World War II, and the dozens of people who lost their lives in it, Sam will touch on some to the things historians have learned in recent years about the greatest armed conflict in history as well as how our views and understanding have evolved.
Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
The museum is open from 1 to 4 and the program starts at 1:15.
"Looking to connect with industry professionals and explore career opportunities? Join us for the 4th Annual Coaching & Leadership Symposium, hosted by the SMGT Senior Capstone class!
📆When: Friday December 11th
📍Where: Student Center
The symposium will be followed by a career fair, so be sure to sign up today!
Announcing our Meetup for November NEXT THURSDAY, 11/12, with our friends at The Tavern On Central
Starting at 7 PM, one of our founders, Phil Allessi, will be leading a talk on men’s mental health entitled, “Strong Enough to Ask for Help.”
This is a kickoff to a series of “dad talks” we hope to run through 2027, including future installments on financial literacy, parenting, diet/nutrition, and others as part of our commitment to wellness within our mission statement.
We’ll be holding our monthly Member Meetup right after Phil’s talk, and we want to thank the staff at the Tavern for always being so accommodating.
We hope to see faces new and old, so it’s a perfect opportunity if you haven’t joined us yet and also a good spot if it’s been a bit since we’ve seen you!
Please share this out so we can pack the event room for a discussion on a critical topic in this day and age.
FM #1852 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1852 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA Town CouncilCommunications Subcommittee meeting held virtually (via Zoom) on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Committee members:Caroline Griffith, Chair, Jane Callaway-Tripp, Vice Chair, Maxwell Morrongiello, Gene Grella and Elizabeth Kalaijian, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
a. July 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes
b. May 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes
c. April 27, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3. Review and Discussion: next steps, priorities, and questions
a. Updated_2026-27_Comms Subcommittee Work Plan Draft
b. 2026-2027 Communications Subcommittee work plan
4. Adjourn
The recording runs about 72 minutes, so let’s listen to the Communications Subcommittee meeting of November 5, 2026.
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"
Memorial event today (11/07/26) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honorLawrence J. Clark.
This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.
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Lawrence J. Clark PVT. U. S. Army WWI
WWI doughboy memorial
Lawrence Clark was born in 1888, the son of John and Mary Jane Clark, along with 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
For eight years he was a Massachusetts resident, working for the American Felt Company before entering the service.
He was said to be one of Franklin's most ardent sportsmen. He was noted for his golfing ability having won the Franklin Country Club Round Robin twice, before answering the call to colors.
He entered the Army on October 45, 1917 joining Company 1, 302 Infantry Regiment, 76th Division,. He transferred on Feb 4, 1918 to Company L, 61st Infantry Regiment 5th Division and departed for Europe on April 16th 1918.
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The schedule of Fallen Heroes for the year on one page (PDF)
Franklin Public Schools invites families to a free community screening of Screenagers: Generation AI, a documentary about how artificial intelligence is shaping young people’s relationships, learning, and mental health.
The film offers practical tools to help families navigate AI at home and in school.
After the screening, a panel of local experts will share their perspectives.
The film is recommended for ages 11 and older, so students in that age group are welcome to attend with their families. Parents and caregivers of children of all ages are encouraged to join us.
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Volleyball = Division 1 #28 Springfield Central, 0 @ #5 Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin needed just over an hour to dispatch Springfield Central, controlling the match from the start in a 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-19) sweep. The Panthers raced out to a 10-2 lead in the opening set behind three early kills from junior Emerson Delleo, along with contributions at the net from junior Genevieve Camire and freshman Marley Lindenmeyer, and never looked back. Springfield Central pulled even at 10-10 in the second, but Franklin answered with a 7-1 run that included kills from Lindenmeyer and junior Charlotte Yeulenski, back-to-back aces from Yeulenski, and a block from sophomore Phoebe O’Connor and Camire before pulling away again. Franklin built a 15-6 advantage in the third set with contributions throughout the lineup, including kills from senior Gianna Laurello, Yeulenski, Delleo, and Lindenmeyer and blocks from Laurello, sophomore Lauren Fitzhenry, and Lindenmeyer. Springfield Central battled back to within 20-17, but the Panthers closed on a 5-2 run to finish off the sweep. Delleo led Franklin with 10 kills, Lindenmeyer added seven kills and was part of four blocks, while Yeulenski and Laurello each finished with five kills. Franklin totaled eight aces and eight team blocks in the win.
"One of the great traditions here at the Franklin Police Department is honoring an officer on their final day before retirement with an escort to or from work by their fellow officers.
Yesterday, we had the privilege of continuing that tradition for Chief Lynch as he wrapped up his final day with the department.
After 30+ years of service to the Franklin Police Department and our community, it was only fitting that we send him off with a proper escort.
