Franklin Matters

Thursday, February 19, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 19, 2026 ???

Thursday, February 19

5:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (Red Rooster Bar and Grill)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today ***

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, February 19 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal discussion

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, February 19 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192026-2113

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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

Award-winning film “Common Ground” scheduled for showing Sunday, Feb 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM

On Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM, the First Universalist Food Justice Team will be screening the award-winning film “Common Ground”, starring among others, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Jason Momoa and Danny Glover.

Award-winning film “Common Ground”
scheduled for showing Sunday, Feb 22, 2026
at 12:30 PM

“By fusing journalistic expose’ with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us.

The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy”.

Enjoy a potluck while watching or feel free to bring your own lunch. Admission is free. The screening and post-film discussion will take place at the First Universalist Society at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin MA.

Please also mark your calendars for March 8, 2026 when the discussion of regenerative agriculture farming practices continues with a discussion with Ali Coakley, proprietor, Night Owl Farm, Franklin MA.

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. For more information, please contact us at info@fusf.org or call 508-528-5348.

Franklin's Washington Street K-2 School Selected for State-Supported Early Literacy Tutoring Program

The Washington Street K-2 School has been selected to participate in the Winter/Spring 2026 Early Literacy High-Dosage Tutoring initiative through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer targeted, evidence-based reading support to first and second grade students.

The program will provide ongoing, small-group tutoring focused on building foundational literacy skills, including phonics, decoding and reading fluency. The initiative is designed to accelerate student growth while remaining closely aligned with classroom instruction.

State-Supported Early
Literacy Tutoring Program

PreK-12 Director of Curriculum Humanities Elizabeth Morrison secured the funding in conjunction with the district's Office of Teaching and Learning.

"This opportunity reflects our district's ongoing commitment to early literacy and student growth," said Tina Rogers, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. "Investing in first- and second-grade literacy ensures we are building strong readers early and setting students on a path toward long-term academic achievement."

Through DESE's Literacy Launch program, the Washington Street K-2 School will be able to serve first and second grade students who may need additional literacy support. Tutoring will take place in small groups through frequent, structured sessions designed to complement core classroom instruction.

"We are committed to meeting students where they are and helping them grow as confident readers," said Morrison. "By connecting tutoring directly to classroom learning and using data to guide instruction, we can provide meaningful, targeted support that makes a real difference."

In the coming weeks, district and school leaders will work collaboratively to identify participating students, coordinate with literacy specialists and tutoring partners, align instruction with classroom teachers and build out progress-monitoring practices to gauge impact.

Franklin's program is expected to begin in early March, and will go through June.

DESE's Early Literacy High-Dosage Tutoring initiative is designed to help students develop essential reading skills by third grade, opening doors to long-term academic success. The Washington Street K-2 School was selected based on demonstrated need and a strong commitment to high-quality literacy instruction aligned with statewide goals.

"This is about investing in our students at the moment it matters most," Rogers said. "We are proud to bring this opportunity to Washington Street and grateful for the collaboration that made it possible."

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11465034

Call for Artists, Cultural District Guide DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2026

Franklin Welcomes the World

Call for Artists, Cultural District Guide
DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2026

For Summer 2026, the Cultural District will be printing more copies than ever before and distributing them widely through:

Hotels and lodging partners
Restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses
Public spaces and community hubs
Regional visitor centers and partner organizations

The guides will highlight arts, culture, dining, small businesses, public spaces, and seasonal events, positioning Franklin as both a destination and a community—not just a place people pass through.

Being featured means your work will be:

Seen by thousands of visitors and residents
Part of a cohesive, professionally produced marketing effort
Directly supporting Franklin’s creative economy and local businesses

These guides are designed to reflect the real character of Franklin, told through the voices and visuals of the people who know it best—our artists, writers, and creatives.

Who Can Apply

This call is open to creatives with a Franklin connection, including those who:

Live or work in Franklin
Grew up here or studied here
Create here regularly
Have personal or professional ties to the community

Timeline

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026

Guide Release: May 2026

How to Submit

Email the following to Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, at cshea@franklinma.gov with the subject line: "FCD Creative Submission"

Please include:

Visual artists: 3–5 work samples (JPEG or PDF)
Writers: 1–2 written pieces (under 250 words each)
A short bio or artist statement (whichever best fits your work)
A brief note on your Franklin connection

Argentine Tango Night at La Cantina Winery - March 5

For the first time at La Cantina Winery… Argentine Tango Night!

Join us on March 5 for a passionate evening of dance, wine, and unforgettable vibes

We’re excited to welcome Laura Raia for a special tango workshop followed by an open dance floor!

Workshop: 7–8 PM

Open Dance Floor: 8–9:30 PM

La Cantina Winery

FREE Admission

No partner needed! Come solo, with friends, or with your special someone everyone is welcome.

Whether you’re a beginner or just love the energy of tango, this is your moment to step onto the dance floor and feel the passion.

Tag your friends and don’t miss our very first Tango Night!

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DU4QwK8kXaG/

Four courses. Four regions. All Italy - March 5, 2026

Collab wine dinner w/ Federico at Birchwood:

Torta Salata alla Scarola (savory endive tart) × Greco di Tufo
Sgombro in Carpione (marinated mackerel) × Valpolicella Ripasso
Pasta al Sugo Genovese (slow-braised beef & onion sauce) × Nobile di Montepulciano
Agnello alla Romana (Roman-style lamb) × Taurasi Aglianico

March 5 @ 6:30 PM

If you love Italian food + proper pairings, this is your night.

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUtE2CNgHZ0/

Coach at Heart Field Hockey Camp - July 13-17 at the Beaver St Turf Field

Coach at Heart Field Hockey Camp -
July 13-17 at the Beaver St Turf Field

We’re excited to announce that Coach at Heart Field Hockey Camp will be held in Franklin this year (𝑛𝑜 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑎𝑚) at Beaver Turf Field the week of July 13–17, from 8:30–11:30 AM.

Open to players in grades 2–8.

We are still waiting on field approval for our three day camp for grades K–2… stay tuned for updates.

Early Bird Special:

Sign up by May 1 for the discounted rate of $200.
After May 1, regular pricing of $225 will apply.
Sign up by May 30 to guarantee your camp T-shirt.
Equipment packages are available at checkout.

Expect fun themed days, exciting awards, and an incredible coaching staff dedicated to helping every player grow. Spots are limited and camp always fills quickly, be sure to register early and join us for an amazing week.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ekq3WABgA/

FISH of Franklin seeking volunteers

via Chris Oliveira

Hello everyone!

I’m here today to tell you about FISH of Franklin. We are a nonprofit group of volunteers who give rides to medical appointments to people who live in Franklin. Most of our clients are elders and some are people with disabilities.

All clients must be able to walk on their own, as we use our own vehicles and cannot physically assist them. We are in need of volunteers. Some of us volunteer by answering phone calls from our own home and trying to arrange requested rides, and others volunteer as drivers.

We have many requests for rides each month and could really use some more volunteers! You must be over 18 To volunteer.

If this interests you, and you are able to commit to one day a month to either give someone a ride or to schedule rides, please call 508-528-2121 and leave a message with your name and a phone number where someone can reach you.— with Dara O'Neil.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YAkz1f6kX/

Listen to the recording of my recorded conversation with Barbara Steele, Nancy Rappa and Terry Robbins, all with FISH of Franklin. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV Studio conference room on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. They were preparing to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/have-you-volunteered-with-fish-of.html

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, February 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:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)

The episode features the Board of Health meeting held Feb 4, 2026 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/board-of-health-in-planning-for-womens.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"

This week the Turntable Show re-airs the first show featuring "Mojo", the twelfth studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released on June 15, 2010. Mojo debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 125,000 copies in its first week of release.
The Tom Petty Vibe Playlist Hour drops the needle on some wicked popular live and studio hits including: You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll; First Flash of Freedom; Lover's Touch; Here Comes My Girl; Lost Without You [Live]; It's Good To Be King; The Waiting; Tweeter and the Monkey Man; and The Trip to Pirate's Cove. Enjoy the 1st ever Turntable Show and a band with amazing mojo

Find the playlist -> https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

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

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

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

9:30 am Franklin Ridge Senior Housing

11:33 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:03 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:35 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken with Dijon

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

2:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm Aging Boldfully: LiveStrong

4:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tune It Out

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

8:00 pm United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Kim Moberg & Jenna Nicholls

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

9:30 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

11:00 am Middle School 6th Grade Concert

2:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 01-17-24

5:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Mansfield 02-14-26

9:00 pm FHSTC: Urinetown

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission 02-12-26

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 02-12-26

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 ???

Wednesday, February 18

9:00am Fallen Heroes: Alan W. Willard (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

11:00am Franklin Conversation; Q&A (Franklin Senior Center)

12:00noon Joe Landry Recording Session (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

3:00pm Stop The Bleed (free training) (Franklin Fire Department)

5:00pm Free NARCAN Training (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Queer Book Club (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** 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: Alan Wayne Willard - Feb 18, 2026 - 9 AM

Memorial event today (1/26/26) at 9 AM on the Veterans Walkway at the Town Common to honor Alan Wayne Willard.

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: Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard

Sergeant Alan Wayne Willard was born on July 1, 1947 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Willard. Alan lived at 529 Pleasant St. with his parents, three brothers and one sister. Sergeant Willard lived most of his life here in Franklin. He was graduated from Franklin High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force in August of that year. Sergeant Willard served for two years with his tour in Vietnam beginning on February 20, 1967.

Sergeant Willard died on February 18, 1968 of ground causality wounds as a result of a hostile artillery attack when his barracks at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Gia Dihh province, South Vietnam, was struck by rocket or mortar shell fire. He was a member of the 6250th Combat Support Group serving as a radar specialist.