What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, June 22, 2025 ???

Sunday, June 22

** Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit (during Franklin Historical Museum Open Hours)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

8:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Franklin Performing Arts Company announces their next season; tickets available

ANNIE | OCT. 17-26 | 

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon. Directed by FPAC Artistic Director @rayelynnmercer with choreography by Broadway’s @clayricethomson (Moulin Rouge, Matilda, Newsies, King Kong), & Music Direction by @halliejw . Featuring “Sandy” the dog from Berloni Theatrical Animals!

Franklin Performing Arts Company
announces their next season

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER | NOV. 21-23 | 

Directed by @alifunk , the play upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (aka Peter Pan). Featuring 12 actors portraying over 100 characters, Peter and the Starcatcher uses ingenious stagecraft & the limitless possibilities of imagination to bring the story to life.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS | JAN. 23-25 | 

Before the iconic 1989 film broke box office records nationwide, Louisiana salon owner Truvy first set up shop on the stage. Directed by Robbie Rescigno, through laughter, tears, & a thick fog of hairspray, the colorful cast of regulars and employees that frequent Truvy’s establishment face trials & triumphs armed with their greatest strength: each other.

INTO THE WOODS | MAR. 13-22 | 

Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, the story follows a baker & his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; & Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. 

ONCE | JUN. 5-7 | 

Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, on the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship & collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, underscored by emotional music including the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly.” 

FPAC Holiday Productions will mount our annual production of The Nutcracker DEC. 6-7 & Humbug! DEC. 20-21!

Tickets available online at https://theblackboxonline.com/

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DLH9TgTxe1S/

FHS' Trull, Daniels, Tolonen, Powers, Reis, Terry, & Ramaswamy recognized for Hockomock Tennis

2025 Hockomock League Girls Tennis All Stars

Below are the official 2025 Hockomock League Girls Tennis All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

• Izzy Trull, Franklin

Davenport Division MVP

Hannah Farber, Oliver Ames

Hockomock League All Stars

• Brook Daniels, Franklin
• Izzy Trull, Franklin
• Sydney Tolonen, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

• Anna Powers, Franklin

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/2025-hockomock-league-girls-tennis-all-stars/

2025 Hockomock League Boys Tennis All Stars

Below are the official 2025 Hockomock League Boys Tennis All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Jacob Slavsky, Sharon

Davenport Division MVP

Neema Khosravani, Mansfield

Hockomock League All Stars

• Danny Reis, Franklin
• Gabe Terry, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

• Aaron Ramaswamy, Franklin

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/2025-hockomock-league-boys-tennis-all-stars/

FHS' Trull, Daniels, Tolonen, Powers, Reis, Terry, & Ramaswamy recognized for Hockomock Tennis

July 2025 Franklin Library News & Events for Franklin, MA - Children

**LIBRARY NEWS**

Library Hours

The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm.  The library is closed on Sundays. The library will be closed on Friday, July 4th in recognition of Independence Day.

Summer Reading is HERE

2025 Reading Challenge

Join in the adventure and Level Up this summer at the library! Be sure to sign up on the library website (or by clicking the button above). Grab your ‘gear’ and ‘quests’ from library staff, and make this summer the ‘Quest for More Fun!’ by checking out the daily events planned on the Calendar of Events.

Franklin Public Library’s 2025 Reading Challenge

July: Take a stand

For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program

Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!   Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library’s website.

Museum Passes

Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale

• Friday, July 18: 1 - 5pm
• Saturday, July 19: 9am - 12pm

All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 per Bag

• Saturday, July 19: 1 - 4pm

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

  **LIBRARY EVENTS**

Weekly/Monthly for Children

Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am

Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.

Pre-K Bootcamp, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)

This 30-minute program for kids ages 3-5 is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.

Summer Skill Up, Tuesdays @ 4pm

All ages are welcome to level up their knowledge by trying a new skill! Every week we will be providing a new small project to practice, learn, and grow! All Supplies are provided. Young children may need an adult to help. No registration required.

Wiggle Worms! Tuesdays @4PM (Ages 0-5)

Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required.

Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5)

Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Summer Concert Series, Wednesdays @ 6pm

Join us Wednesday evenings on the library patio all summer long for live music for all ages!

July 2: Jamie Barrett

July 9: Kat Chapman

July 16: DJ Sam & Andy

July 23: Jeff Roy

July 30: The Oh Mys Band

Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am

Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby’s development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby’s comfort. No registration required.

Bubble Buddies, Fridays @10:30AM

Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required.

Weekend Wiggles, Alternating Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

A weekend storytime for littles and their grown-ups. Let’s play some music and dance! Laughter and giggles are definitely expected during this energetic, interactive and creative movement based class. No registration required.

Rainbow Cafe features guest speaker: Sarah Boyer - June 24 at 2 PM

Hello All,

I hope that you can join us at our next Rainbow Cafe on Tuesday June 24th at 2 PM.  I am very excited to share that Sarah Boyer will be joining us as a guest speaker!

Sarah is an oral historian and published author who was inspired to record the extraordinary stories of "Ordinary" folks to ensure their voices are heard and their lives celebrated.  In 2015, Lois Johnson, President of Boston Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) invited oral historian Sarah Boyer to help interview former DOB members. 

Rainbow Cafe features guest speaker:
Sarah Boyer - June 24 at 2 PM

Together they interviewed 21 lesbians who were part of the emerging gay and liberation movement.  Johnson, who died in 2020, wanted a book on the history of the Boston-Cambridge DOB.  "Coming Out, Becoming Ourselves" Lesbian Stories from the Boston Daughters of Bilitis 1969-1999, is that book and ensures these stories of courage and love become a part of the historical record.  

Please share this invite with others who would be interested in attending.  All folks in the LGBTQIA+ community are welcome.

Thank you,

Ariel

Sarah Boyer author of "Coming Out, Becoming Ourselves" 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939113660

Franklin TV: Juneteenth!

The Promise of July 4th

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 06/22/2025

Juneteenth – June 19, 1865, (estimated date) Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to declare freedom for enslaved African Americans, two and a half years after the signing of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Major General Gordon Granger read the proclamation of freedom for slaves as declared in General Order Number 3, which stated:

Done. Jubilee!

And through that simplest telling, the last of the slaves were finally set free. However, there is freedom, and there is the kind of true freedom that exists only in a world devoid of vitriol and hatred. Clearly, this is not that world. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Change takes time, but it does happen.

There are also times when that change is threatened – even reversed. Why? Hate happens – othering happens – sua sponte. It happens when some believe that their perceived problems or losses are attributable to others. Someone else – someone unlike ‘us’ – must be blamed – hated –punished – banished.

Wendell Phillips (Nov 29, 1811 – Feb 2, 1884) was an American abolitionist, a labor reformer, temperance activist, and advocate for Native Americans. He said, “ Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

We tend to associate his quote with July Fourth and our Nation’s Independence. It was about the eventual abolition of slavery.

In the face of hate, the loss of DEI, the threats to all of us – let us remain ever vigilant. The good work must go on, for in this, our imperfect world, we will never be done. Eternal vigilance against hatred is the price of true freedom – for everyone.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

Stitch appears at Raillery Public House June 25

Stitch appears at Raillery Public House June 25

The perfect way to kick off summer vacation!

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, June 22, 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:

 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, June 21, 2025 ???

Saturday, June 21

** Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit (during Franklin Historical Museum Open Hours)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:00am Walking Group (St John's Episcopal Church)

12:00pm Celebrate with Pride (Franklin Town Common)

12:00pm The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration (Bellingham High School)

1:00pm The Pantry Falmouth Road Race Team (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Under The Sea Party (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Class of 1975 50th High School Reunion (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library  events ->   

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

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 18 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

FM #1472 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1472 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Friday, June 20, 2025. Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025.

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Discussion items: 

• Fire Chief McLaughlin reads his statement announcing his retirement on or before Oct 1, 2025. 

• Electric Youth made their annual 'bon voyage' appearance to perform an a cappella number fittingly "Time of my Life" from the Dirty Dancing movie

• Appointment to the Council on Aging: Elizabeth Sawyer, approved

• Appointment to the Disability Commission: Cheryl Fisher, approved

• Motion made and approved to create the Franklin 250 Celebration Committee

• La Cantina was approved for their Farmers Market license

• The Community Survey results were released and explained. Results can be compared with over 500 communities. Good response rate, among the best at 20%, effectively a better representation of the sense of the community with the random sample selection. Paid via Federal grant money as a pilot program. No definitive timeline for a next survey. Likely a discussion later this year on what the results can be used for

• Resolution 25-39: FY25 Budget Transfers. Balancing the books better before they close out June 30. Out of $150m budget balancing on $40k is amazing

• Council enters Executive Session shortly after to discuss contract negotiation.  They returned approx. 15 minutes later to approve 7 motions certifying the contract with Town side bargaining units. All received the same 2.5% COLA that the School teachers agreed to, for a 3 year term

The conversation runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1472-town-council-quarterbacking-06-18-25/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/RpRNbG1tXVw?&t=188 

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06182025-1788 

Community Survey results

Report ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5956/8a-Polco-Survey-Final-Report 

Presentation doc ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5945/Polco---The-NCS-Presentation-Franklin-MA-2025

Tom & I recap the Town Council Mtg of June 1
8 in this "quarterbacking" session (audio)

Town presentation doc by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5946/Town-of-Franklin---The-NCSPresentation

All the details in the survey are posted on one Town page ->   https://franklinma.gov/974/National-Community-Survey

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUOaCgv7a1pv5MHGIqweTwmKy2MkAEjW/view?usp=drive_link

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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. 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"