Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 2, 2022 to Dec 8, 2022

You can dance, or watch dancers, or ballet, or enjoy a beverage and some music, or visit the farmers market, or the Christmas Fair, or the local artesian market, or one of the other options... there is so much to do. Very grateful for the #artshappeninghere in Franklin!

Friday, December 2

5:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food Truck) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - Joshua David (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:30pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Saturday, December 3

9:00am - Christmas Fair (St John’s Episcopal Church)

10:00am - Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Market)

10:00am - AcuPUNKture's Local Artisan Holiday Market (AcuPUNKture)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am - Bollywood Dancing (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

2:00pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

3:00pm - Orchard Sl"Hay" Rides (rescheduled -see description 4 details) (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

7:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Sunday, December 4

7:00am - “Finding the Light” (free art scavenger hunt, find clues on Facebook @PaintingVenus)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

Tuesday, December 6

6:30pm - Popcorn & Pride (LGBTQ Pride event at 99 Restaurant)

7:00pm - Christmas Trivia Night (St Mary’s Parish)

7:00pm - FHS Chorus and Orchestra Concert (Franklin High School) 

Wednesday, December 7 6:00pm - HMMS Concert (Horace Mann Middle School) 7:00pm - Franklin Art Association (Franklin Senior Center)

Thursday, December 8 7:00pm - An Evening with Mystery Writers: Sulari Gentill, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Eva Jurczyk (virtual discussion) Franklin Public Library

7:00pm - Pour Richard's Wine and Chocolate Pairing (Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Community Calendar

Economic Development lacks consensus on approach to inclusionary zoning proposal (audio)

FM #889 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 889 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 in the Council Chambers with one member (Hunchard) participating virtually (hence roll call vote).  One member absent (Wierling)

Present: Chair M Hamblen, G Jones, C Frongillo, P Sheridan, G Rondeau (Plng Brd), B Hunchard (ZBA)

Quick recap:

• The discussion centered on the inclusionary zoning proposal carried over from the prior meeting. While the group had more time to review the matter, they still could not reach consensus on a recommendation and yet did move the item for discussion by the full Council. 

• In my view, this group, which in principle approves of the concept, and yet can't recommend an approach, likely sets the full Council discussion up for failure. Stay tuned, this is an important discussion, and no matter the next vote, Franklin needs to address this properly.

My Twitter thread:

• Ready for Iive reporting on back to back meetings; first up, economic development subcommittee and inclusionary zoning #edc1130 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-11-30_edc_agenda.pdf

• Planning Director Bryan Taberner provides an overview of the proposed changes to introduce this measure. #edc1130 map being shown on the screen of the zoning areas

• Clarification on 4 vs. 5 in some of the prior drafts, should be 5 in all places. #edc1130 consideration of getting affordable units after 30% of development (so if something happens, and they were planned for the end and didn't happen, the Town would be left short)

• Also consideration for the affordable units #edc1130 that are permitted in another area. Back to the 5vs4 question, from 5 units to 14, only 1 required as affordable to meet 10% requirements; Planning Board would need to approve the alternative site

• Question on 15 units vs 20 units gives the Planning Board ability to regulate - this is part of the density piece not part of inclusionary #edc1130 Frongillo, Q on how did we get to 10%, Hellen explains cap by state rule at 10%

• 10% also aligns with the 10% 40b units, it is a middle road. Rondeau clarification questions answered. Halligan (from audience) comments great example of a walkthrough to say we should be working on setbacks, etc. To make the building feasible #edc1130

• Hellen asks Q, what is the percent that would make it work? If not 35%, then 50, 70, 100? #edc1130 Frongillo still to the point this won't get us anything (maybe up to 15-20 units be4 requiring affordable) would like to work with developers to find the #s that work

• Hamblen Qs is what is the starting point, 5, 8, 10 (vs Frongillo at 20-25 or so). #edc1130 motion to send to full council for recommendation to planning board, 6-0 via roll call 

• Motion to adjourn, 6-0 via roll call

The recording of the meeting runs just over an hour.   

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-889-economic-development-plus-cmte-11-30-22

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The agenda and doc released for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-11-30_edc_agenda.pdf

Franklin TV YouTube video ->  https://youtu.be/sUk0eqtUzXE

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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

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"

the zoning map shared on the screen attempted to focus the discussion

Space Needs Subcommittee Meeting - virtual only - Dec 8, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Sub Committee

December 8, 2022 - 5:30 - 6:00 P.M. - Virtual

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Call to Order

● Recap of working sessions with AppGeo

● Dec. 20th School Redistricting Subcommittee Planning

● Adjourn

The agenda and virtual meeting connections can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-12_8_22.pdf

Note: This is the Space Needs subcommittee of the School Committee

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/subcommittees-and-liaisons

not the Redistricting Advisory Committee

https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee

This is effectively the School Committee planning session for the re-districting advisory meeting scheduled for Dec 20, 2022   https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee/pages/meeting-dates

Space Needs Subcommittee Meeting - virtual only - Dec 8, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Fairmount Fruit Farm: Sl "hay" ride rescheduled for this weekend - these are your options

"UPDATE for Saturday Dec 3rd Sl ”hay” Ride:

Due to the impending rain that is projected for the afternoon on Saturday, we are going to have to reschedule our Sl "hay" Ride for the night. We are so sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, our tractor and trailer can simply not go out in the rain.

Below please find your 3 options that you may choose from, if you bought your Dec 3rd ticket! Emails have been sent out to ALL December 3rd ticket holders.

We hope to still see you either tomorrow night or Sunday night! Make sure to still stop by for our INDOOR winter farmers market on Saturday from 10 - 2 PM! 

Oh and we forgot to mention that our second batch of trees is here. Come and snag the best looking one!"

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CloVpVfrt0a/

Fairmount Fruit Farm: Sl "hay" ride rescheduled for this weekend - these are your options

Franklin Police Dept's No Shave November fund raising helps Cops For Kids With Cancer program

For the month of November, the Franklin Police Dept. has been participating in our annual No Shave fundraiser. To set aside our grooming standards, each officer made a donation for the month. Today we were able to present a check totaling $3,000 to the amazing organization, Cops For Kids With Cancer. Pictured below is Chief Helena Rafferty from the Canton Police Department. Chief Rafferty is also a board member for Cops for Kids with Cancer.

This organization has assisted several Franklin families relieve the financial burden upon them once confronted with a cancer diagnosis. Cops for Kids with Cancer will generally give the sponsored family a check for $5000.00 and ask for nothing in return. Please consider donating to this cause at

https://copsforkidswithcancer.org/

Our No Shave December funds will be donated to a family in Franklin, whose child was recently diagnosed with Cancer. If you wish to help this amazing family during these times, a check made out to Franklin Police Association can be dropped off at the station.

Chief Helena Rafferty, Canton Police Department, receiving the check from FPD

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

HockomockSports.com: Player of the Week - Luke Davis, Franklin Football

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the "Player of the Week" selection 

"Franklin senior Luke Davis has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Nov. 20 through Nov. 26. Davis is the 12h player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2022-23 school year.

Davis came through in his final high school football game, scoring three touchdowns and catching the game-winning two-point conversion to help Franklin rally for a win at King Philip on Thanksgiving. It was not only the second straight win for the Panthers against the Warriors, but also clinched a share of a second straight Kelley-Rex division title (shared with first-time league champ Milford). This is the first time that Franklin has won back-to-back league titles since completing a three-peat in 1971.

“Luke Davis has always answered the call,” said Franklin head coach Eian Bain. “We lost a lot of fire power from the 2021 group. He helped replace a lot of production on the season. On Thanksgiving, we tried just about everything to get him in opportune spots to shine and he didn’t disappoint. He showed why he is one of the best receivers in the state and in our program’s history."

Continue reading the article online

https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-luke-davis-franklin-football/

HockomockSports.com: Player of the Week - Luke Davis, Franklin Football

67 Degrees Brewing: Holiday Wreath Workshop - Dec 15

"Join us at Franklin’s 67 Degrees Brewing and start your holiday season off right with fresh evergreen wreath making, while sipping on some delicious hops! 

Grab your fun, festive friends and create a custom wreath, perfect for bringing some holiday cheer to your home all season long! At the end of the event, take home your freshly decorated wreath and new wreath crafting tips. "

Buy your tickets for the Flowergirl Traci Shop here -> 

https://www.flowergirltraci.shop/take-a-class

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

67 Degrees Brewing: Holiday Wreath Workshop - Dec 15

Take some Action for Happiness this month, we could all use a little more happiness!

Action for Happiness (@actionhappiness) tweeted  Thu, Dec 01, 2022:

"Do Good December - Day 1: 

Spread kindness and share the December calendar with others https://t.co/1aRuRjeNLt 

#DoGoodDecember https://t.co/3ZFpchS62D"

Take some Action for Happiness this month, we could all use a little more happiness!

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Dec 2, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein

9:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am Senior Connection: Maggie Gundersen

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7

3:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

4:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

5:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2022

7:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safe Prescribing

8:30 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021

8:30 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

9:30 am Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium

11:00 am FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Barnstable 11-12-22

1:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18

3:00 pm Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini

5:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2

5:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Wachusett 11-11-22

8:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22

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

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Fur And Feather Families Take Note! Vet Med Pet Supplies has been helping Franklin area pets for almost 40 years

Written by Lyn MacLean 

Fur And Feather Families Take Note! 

Vet Med Pet Supplies is being highlighted as the third in our “Shop Local for the holidays” series.  This quaint shop is located at 359 West Central Street and has been serving the community for almost 40 years since 1983.

The shop caters to Dogs, Cats, Small Birds and Fish, Rabbits, Reptiles, Guinea pigs, and even Chinchillas.  The store offers high-quality foods, grooming supplies, and non-prescription health aids for allergies and anxiety.  Is your dog anxious or could become overwhelmed with all the holiday hustle and visitors?  The store even has a large selection of CBD oral health aids to help calm anxious dogs.  

“Our team has a wonderful depth of knowledge and works hard to provide personal service to our customers”, the owner Karen Walsh stated. “One of our staff members has even worked for local zoos and a vet in town” she emphasized.  The staff enjoys assisting customers with fitting collars, harnesses, and winter coats to establish a proper fit for the animal.   This is the type of personalized pet service you typically do not receive in a big box pet store. 

 

Vet Med Pet Supplies has been helping Franklin area pets for almost 40 years

Currently, Stella and Chewy’s brand is offering a special holiday promotion.  The sale offers to buy 3 freeze-dried food items for dogs for $25.00 and buy 3 Crav’n Bac’n Biscuits for $20.00.  In addition, they offer to buy one get one free canned cat food.  This promotion runs until the end of the year.  

All animals are welcome to visit the store as well.  Upon arrival, they will be greeted with a special treat and can walk, hop or crawl around the store to see what they like.  Vet Met has welcomed cats, rabbits, dogs, and even ferrets to visit the store.   Save time, visit Vet Med with plenty of parking available.  Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 10-6 pm and Sunday 12-5.  

Lastly, remember that last-minute gift idea of a gift card!  Vet Med Pet Supplies is a participant in the THINK FRANKLIN FIRST GIFT CARDS.  

The cards are available for purchase in any denomination at Dean Bank or franklingiftcard.com.  This website provides the most up-to-date list of participating businesses.  

If you are a local business owner who would like more information contact Lily Rivera at  508-553-4888 or riveral@franklinps.net 

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to arrive at the Historical Museum - Dec 18

Beginning December 18th, the Franklin Historical Museum will exhibit the first in a series of annual dioramas entitled, “Train Town Franklin" -- a Historical Exact replica of the area around the train depot, circa 1932, a time when the rhythm of the daily trains set the pace for a small New England Town -- and news from `down at the depot' was the news everyone wanted to hear!

The first diorama in this series will focus on the downtown Franklin area centered on the historic Franklin train station, the Franklin Furniture Warehouse, the W.K. Gilmore Coal Company, and the Railroad Express Agency as well as the bridge over Main/East Central Street. Over time, additional nearby areas will be modeled to make a complete recreation of the heart of old Franklin.

The creativity behind this project comes from Franklin native, and former Town Council Chair, Scott Mason who, throughout his life, has honed his historical knowledge and model building skills. 

Young and old will be captivated by this miniature look at "the way we used to be."

The structures in this exhibit are built to exact scale from photographs and films taken from that period. Information about these buildings will also be on display.

Historical items related to the railroad in Franklin at that time, including the actual “Franklin” sign that hung from the station and other artifacts will be on display.

The exhibit is set to run through 2/5/2023. 

The Historical Museum is open to the public every Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM.

"Train Town Franklin" scheduled to arrive at the Historical Museum - Dec 18

Encore Music Academy: 5 Students awarded Regional Gold Medals of Excellence

It is with great pride and excitement that we announce that five Encore students have been awarded Regional Gold Medals of Excellence for the academic year 2021-2022 with the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program. 

These students attained the single highest score for their level on their instrument in the region which includes the following states: MA, RI, CT, ME, VT, NH, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, and WV. We extend heartfelt congratulations to the students and their instructors for the talent, hard work, dedication, and perseverance it takes to achieve such a tremendous honor. 

Congratulations go out to:

• Samyuktha Chaganti, Franklin, student of Lisa Ostrow, Level 7 voice
• Ava Piercy, Franklin, student of Carl Scheinman, Level 2 clarinet 
• Timothy Reda, Millis, student of Lisa Ostrow, Level 5 voice
• Chloe Regan, Franklin, student of Rebecca Abalutzk, Level 1 voice
• AJ Trull, Franklin, student of Rebecca Abalutzk, Level 3 voice

In addition, we would like to extend a special congratulations to Matthew McGuirl, Millis, student of Rebecca Abalutzk, Preparatory Level voice, for having achieved the highest score in the state of Massachusetts!

We are so very proud of each and every one of you! 

Stay tuned, as our five Gold Medal winners have been invited to perform at the annual Celebration of Excellence, March 11, 2023 in New York City!

Program Director

Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios

508-533-7700, Ext. 104

www.encoremusicacademy.net

Encore Music Academy: 5 Students awarded Regional Gold Medals of Excellence

A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony - Dec 11 at 7 PM

Via Temple Etz Chaim: 

"December 11, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Come attend a special presentation at 900 Washington St in Franklin. 

Rabbi Alpert will be among those presenting."

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

A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony - Dec 11 at 7 PM

The Rescignos are scheduled to perform "Franklincense" - Dec 10 at THE BLACK BOX

Take a walk in a twin-ter wonderland! 

The Rescignos

For over a decade the Rescigno brothers have performed a brand new holiday show in NYC, and this year they are bringing it to Franklin! Critic Roy Sander writes of the show, "F**king brilliant...I would be hard put to think of anyone I would rather be entertained by for an hour than The Rescignos." Cabaret Scenes' Rob Lester says, "The Rescigno twins raise sibling squabbling to an art form." Paul and Robbie add, "We also look pretty good in our sweater vests." So join The Rescigno boys for the latest installment of their annual holiday show--it'll sugar your plums!

Opener: Ali Funkhouser with Raye Lynn Mercer (piano) and Irina Fainkichen (violin). An actress and singer with a love for all things silly, Ali's solo cabaret shows combining musical theatre, comedy, and jazz have been described as, "still going on."

Ali Funkhouser with Raye Lynn Mercer (piano)
and Irina Fainkichen (violin)

Tickets can be purchased by call the Box office or online ->

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1637

Franklin Police: Annual Toy Drive, Photos with Santa, Dec 11

From the Franklin Police Dept: 

"On December 11 from 10 AM to 1 PM stop by the station for pictures with Santa as part of our annual toy drive. 

Pictures are free but we’re asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys for all ages. 

We hope to see you there!"

Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/CljXy4FOCmJ/

Franklin Police: Annual Toy Drive, Photos with Santa, Dec 11