Monday, December 29, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, December 29, 2025 ???

Monday, December 29

10:15am Milk Jug Seed Sowing Workshop (Blackstone, MA)

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events



For additional details on Library events -> 

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   



** 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


Decision tree to help determine if a Smart Phone is right for a 13 year old?

"It’s hard to raise a child in a world their brain wasn’t built for.

Decision tree to help determine if a Smart Phone is right for a 13 year old?
Decision tree to help determine if a
Smart Phone is right for a 13 year old?
Smartphones feel essential to daily life, but for kids they bring adult content, comparison, cyberbullying, dopamine issues and levels of stimulation their developing brain can’t regulate.

Most kids aren’t “bad with phones”.
They’re just young – and overwhelmed.

This flowchart isn’t saying your child should never have a phone.

It’s showing that giving one too young, and without guidance, is like dropping them into a city without a map.

What matters most is getting them ready for what they’ll find there – through small, honest conversations that protect their brain, their confidence, and their safety.

If your child already has a phone, you haven’t “messed up”. You can start these conversations today.

This isn’t about banning childhood tech. It’s about giving kids the grounding and confidence to meet it when they’re ready. 

For some families that means supporting a child who already has a phone; for others, it means waiting until the time is right.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

🎨 Created by @tjpower and @smartphonefreechildhood 

🧠 Inspired by @mindandchild"


If you missed the podcast episode with Dr Carolyn Kuehnel and Dr Cindy Ballou, we ended up talking about screen time and will have a follow up conversation in the near future.  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/kuehnel-psychological-services.html

FHS sports results for Sunday, December 28, 2025

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Sunday, December 28, 2025


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 vs. Marshfield, 3 – Final


For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-12-28-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Mass Governor's 2025 Year-in-Review

Mass Governor's 2025 Year-in-Review
Mass Governor's 2025 Year-in-Review
Via Governor Healey:


"Massachusetts is America’s #1 state to live in — and everyone should be able to afford to call it home. From housing and health care to energy, education, and more, we’re working to cut costs from families and businesses in our state."






Dean College Baseball Team fund raiser - drawing Jan 5, 2026

Dean College Baseball Team fund raiser - drawing Jan 5, 2026
Dean College Baseball Team
fund raiser - drawing Jan 5, 2026
via Zach Handfield:


"Hi all! I am a member of the Dean College Baseball Team and we are doing a raffle fundraiser for our trip to Myrtle beach in March.

Some cool prizes up there for you to win and it is $25 to purchase a ticket.

Here is a link if you would like to participate -> https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/.

Thank you all!"



Shared from -> 



The Bacchus Busters Jan 17 at Pour Richard's

Bacchus Busters Jan 17 at Pour Richard's
Bacchus Busters Jan 17 at Pour Richard's
January is all about winter wines. Deeper textures, richer aromatics, and bottles made for slow evenings and hearty meals. 

This Bacchus Buster is designed for stocking your cellar with exceptional values, undiscovered producers, and new cold-weather favorites you’ll reach for all season long.

Think structured reds, layered whites, and wines that shine when the temperature drops. 

Join us for an afternoon of thoughtful tasting and refined winter selections.

January Bacchus Buster  = Saturday 1/17 | 1–4 PM




USA Facts on core inflation

Via USA Facts:

"Core inflation (excluding food and energy) dropped to 2.6%, the lowest since early 2021. Headline inflation fell to 2.7%.

The government shutdown disrupted data collection, so figures blend September and November with carried-forward October estimates."




Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, December 29, 2025

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
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 for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, December 29, 2025 (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: Steve Sherlock
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Vigil 08-31-25
9:00 am Humbug_122025
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces
12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche
1:30 pm   Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 3
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8
3:30 pm Santa_113025
4:30 pm WinningWays_StudentAthletesSh1_121225
5:30 pm Mrs. Claus Storytime
7:00 pm Frank's Musings: A Proposition
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Heather Pierson Trio

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

7:00 am Middle School Winter Music 2025: Chorus and Orchestra
8:30 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Vigil 08-31-25
9:30 am WinningWays_StudentAthletesSh1_121225
10:30 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble
11:30 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra
1:30 pm      FHS Varsity Wrestling v Milford 01-08-25
3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v King Philip 12-22-25
5:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Archbishop Williams 12-23-25

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


8:00 am  Planning Board 12-15-25
11:00 am  Finance Committee 12-10-25
2:00 pm  Planning Board 12-15-25

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

Sunday, December 28, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 28, 2025 ???

Sunday, December 28

9am Fallen Hero: Charles E. Mason (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1pm Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

1pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)



** 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

Fallen Hero Recognition: Charles E. Mason - Dec 28, 2025 - 9:00 AM

Memorial event today (12/28/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Private Charles E. Mason.

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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Fallen Hero: Private Charles E. Mason, U.S. Army 
Private Charles E. Mason, U.S. Army Signal Corps, was born on February 24, 1916, son of Fred and Minta Mason. Charles lived at 62 Pleasant Street with his parents and sister. Charles attended the Franklin Public Schools graduating from Franklin High School in 1934. During his high school years, he participated in the Memorial Day ceremonies on the Common by reciting the Gettysburg Address.  
Prior to entering the army, Charles was a member of a Naval Reserve Unit located here in Franklin and served under the command of Fred Cook. David Bullukian, another one of our Fallen 23, also served in this Franklin unit.  
Charles attended Boston Radio and Television School prior to his induction in July of 1941. PVT Charles Mason used this special interest in ham radios and used this skill to converse with people in the area while in the army.  
Private Charles E. Mason died of injuries received in an automobile accident at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey on December 28, 1941 at the age of 25.
FH_Mason
Fallen Hero: Private Mason
For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

The video series of recognition ceremonies for 2024 (YTD) 

Franklin TV: Getting Ready - For PUTTER DAY is nigh

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 12/28/2025

Recently, I received a wonderful baseball cap that proudly brandishes the phrase,
“ I fix stuff and I know things.” So cool!

There it is. The spirit (and perhaps even the ‘Santa hat’) of PUTTER DAY. (Jan 1) Hats. T-shirts. Sweats. Suddenly, it’s everywhere. The phrase rose to viral internet prominence as a tool user’s declaration. Like humor, internet memes are often propelled by a universal, tongue-in-cheek truth. We’ll take it. For those of us who look forward to PUTTER DAY, it’s what we do. Yup. Believe. On it. Yoobetcha.

For years I have preached, promoted, exalted the high holiday of PUTTER DAY as a New Year’s Day commitment to small progress, but progress nonetheless. Just as Festivus and ‘Fix stuff/Know things’ enjoyed viral acceptance, I hold hope that someday PUTTER DAY will enjoy the same broad notoriety. Then I can have my moment; that proud power stance that says, “ My work here is done.”

I fix stuff and I know things. For now, we’ll suspend judgement on the ‘know things’ claim and focus on the ‘fix stuff’ part. All that stuff is waiting. It’s the stuff on the oft postponed ‘honey do’ list.

PUTTER DAY doesn’t require heroic effort. There is the small ‘stuff’ that creeps into our lives throughout the year; a loose this, a squeaky that, a thing that just mysteriously jammed and stopped working, the widget that needs fresh batteries. These are everyday nuisances that, when fixed (finally), no one else will notice.

However, you will know. This is the ‘I know things’ part. It’s the private, deeply
personal satisfaction of PUTTER DAY and knowing another job well done.

Meanwhile, a To-Do item: PUTTER DAY swag. (This has to happen.)

And – as always –
Thank you for watching. 
Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm,
and staying informed at Franklin●news.


P.S. In my fevered PUTTER DAY enthusiasm I jumped the gun. I fixed 2-3 items before this went to press. Easy. (whew!) Gotta pace m’self.

Get this week's program guide
Get this week's program guide



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

FHS sports results for Saturday, Dec 27

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, December 27, 2025


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 35 @ Biddeford (ME), 72 – Final 
– Franklin comes back from Maine with a split of its two games, following a tough loss against Biddeford on Saturday. The Tigers led 20-8 after one and 31-14 at halftime before putting the game away with a 26-7 third quarter. Freshman Chloe Gordon led the way for the Panthers with nine points on three three-pointers, including a pair of them in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Ruby Risgin added six points and Sophia Sacramone chipped in with five.

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ St. John’s Shrewsbury, 5 – Final – The Pioneers potted four goals in the second period to run away with a win over the Panthers. Senior Drew Stoller scored his first career goal for Franklin.


Wrestling = Leominster Quad (Franklin), 9:00AM

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

January is Ben Franklin Book Month in Franklin!

January is Ben Franklin Book Month in Franklin!
January is Ben Franklin Book Month in Franklin!
As the birthplace of America’s first public library, Franklin has a special connection to Benjamin Franklin’s enduring belief in access to knowledge, literacy, and lifelong learning. Each January, we honor that legacy by celebrating Ben Franklin Book Month — a time to spotlight books, storytelling, and the power of ideas across our Cultural District.

Throughout the month, community partners will host book-inspired programs, literary activities, and opportunities for all ages to engage with Franklin’s rich history and vibrant creative community.

Whether you’re revisiting a favorite read, discovering a new author, or joining a local event, January is the perfect time to turn the page and celebrate the written word—right here in Franklin.

Visit the Franklin Public Library for additional details on events

School Committee meeting of Dec 9 condensed to 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1618 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1618 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Vice Chair of the School Committee Dave Callaghan.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, December 15, 2025. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting Dec 9, 2025.


Our conversation covered the following topics:

  • Policy Subcommittee meeting update 
  • FHS Volleyball team recognized for D1 State Championship for first time
  • Capital budget presentation
  • Franklin (MA) School enrollment
  • Hold harmless and revolving funds


Our conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1618-chalkboard-chat-12-15-25/


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School Committee page (with contact info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 


Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13  


Agenda for this session ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043  


My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link 


Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf  


School District Capital Request -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159047/Franklin_Public_Schools_FY26_Capital_Request.pdf 



Special Education Presentation to SchCmte ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf 



Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6155704/Franklin_Enrollment_Snapshot%282%29.pdf 


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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"