What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, December 26, 2025 ???

Friday, December 26

Of note: the trash/recycle curbside pick up is one day offset due to the holiday

• Those scheduled for Thursday will get picked up Friday
• Those scheduled for Friday will get picked up Saturday

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Pumpernickel Puppets! (Franklin Public Library)

For additional details on Library events -> 

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

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

Senior Center = Closed all day, December 26

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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

Franklin vs. Weymouth Food Pantries Face Off in "SOUPer Bowl 2026" Soup Drive

The Franklin Food Pantry is gearing up to defend its title as SOUPer Bowl Champion against the Weymouth Food Pantry in the highly anticipated SOUPer Bowl 2026 canned soup competition.

The two pantries are asking their communities to donate cans of soup starting January 8, 2026. The pantry that receives the most soup by February 8, 2026, will be named SOUPer Bowl Champ 2026.

"SOUPer Bowl 2026" Soup Drive

The Franklin Food Pantry and Weymouth Food Pantry previously faced off in 2025. The competition resulted in a combined total of 4,967 cans of soup, with Franklin edging out the win by a mere 205 cans. While SOUPer Bowl 2026 is a friendly, spirited competition, the stakes are profoundly serious. Hunger in Massachusetts is reaching crisis levels, with a staggering 1 in 3 people experiencing food insecurity. This challenge will help stock the shelves in both pantries and combat the skyrocketing hunger in our communities. Here's how to get in on the game and support your pantry:

• What: SOUPer Bowl 2026 (Canned Soup Drive)
• Who: Franklin Food Pantry vs. Weymouth Food Pantry
• When: January 8 to February 8, 2026

To Donate:

• Bring donations to the Franklin Food Pantry, 341 W Central St., Franklin, MA, 02038, or donate via the Franklin Food Pantry's Amazon Wish List
• Bring donations to the Weymouth Food Pantry Warehouse, 40 Reservoir Park Dr., Suite E, Rockland, MA, 02370, or donate via Weymouth Food Pantry's Amazon Wish List
  

Individuals, families, houses of worship, sports teams, clubs, business, and other groups are encouraged to join the competition

Mitzi & I review the special events scheduled at the Library for January 2026 (audio)

FM #1616 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1616 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

• Closing early Weds, Dec 31 and all day on Thursday, Jan 1 for New Years

• Book sale weekend January 16 & 17

• Library events for January 2026

• In calendar order rather than by category this time around

An update from the Circulation Desk on the new home delivery service we mentioned at the end of our recording:

“Awareness of the service is growing and we had some sharp growth after contacting one of the many local assisted living services in the area. We expect steady organic growth with sharp spikes as we reach out to more senior spaces in 2026.”

Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1616-franklin-public-library-jan-2026-highlights-12-18-25/

Ben Franklin playing his glass armonica

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Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

January 2026 newsletter ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=90  

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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"

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards open for High School Sophomores in February 2026

Do you know of High School Sophomore you know, have what it takes to step out of your shell and become a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) star?!

We will be looking for you in February, 2026! Ask your High School Sophomore Guidance Councilor for more details!!

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIuPd1Pedt0

Listen to 2 of Franklin's RYLA graduates tell about their experience

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/franklin-interact-club-wants-to-unite.html

More about Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) -> https://ryla7910.org/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17iULhNBUS/

NY Times: "Most Immigrants Arrested in City Crackdowns Have No Criminal Record"

Most Immigrants Arrested in City
Crackdowns Have No Criminal Record

"The deployments in major cities as part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown have led to thousands of arrests. But they have been less effective at apprehending immigrants with a criminal record than more routine operations elsewhere, new data shows.

Less than 30% of the people arrested in any of these operations had been convicted of a crime, a New York Times analysis of the data shows, and a very small share had been convicted of a violent crime. The most common non-violent convictions were for driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.

The operations have upended life for many residents and prompted protests and backlash. Local leaders say they have done little to make their cities safer.

See more of the ICE arrests data at the link in our bio."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSFtVc8lXte/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, December 26, 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 Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This shares the segment  from the Town Council meeting 12/17/25 covering the full discussion on the charter change process -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

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 Friday, December 26, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am The Black Box: Tappy Christmas 2019

8:30 am Frank Presents: Jim Derick

10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel

11:00 am Senior Connection: Traditions

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 '19 Show 2

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm FPAC: Humbug

8:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Immigrants

9:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes Pt 1

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

7:00 am Middle School Winter Music 2025: Band

8:30 am FHS Sports: Mike Masto

9:30 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra

1:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies

2:00 pm FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Foxboro 12-19-25

7:30 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling v Milford 01-08-25

9:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 12-18-25

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 12-18-25

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, December 25, 2025 ???

Time for family and friends to celebrate Christmas in whatever manner you wish.

If you travel, please be safe and courteous.

I plan to spend the time with family and will resume event and news reporting with Friday's postings.

I will share these 2 similar views of the Town Common taken on a snowy December day in 2019 and 2020.

Of note: the trash/recycle curbside pick up is not happening today

• Those scheduled for Thursday will get picked up Friday
• Those scheduled for Friday will get picked up Saturday

Franklin Town Common, Dec 6, 2020

Franklin Town Common, Dec 4, 2019

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, December 25, 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 Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This shares the segment  from the Town Council meeting 12/17/25 covering the full discussion on the DPW snow update   ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.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)"  

• The Turntable Show album hour is featuring a special holiday record, the Elvis Christmas Album, released October 15, 1957.   Yes, Elvis Presley's 'Elvis' Christmas Album' is widely recognized as the best-selling Christmas album of all time in the United States and worldwide, with sales exceeding 20 million copies and achieving Diamond certification from the RIAA for its immense success across multiple releases.  Despite Elvis being a rock and roll icon, his embrace of traditional Christmas themes, including gospel songs and his famous "Blue Christmas," surprised many but cemented the album's legendary status.  
   G and The Vibe, we wish everyone a peaceful and merry holiday season!!!"
• The Vibe Playlist Hour is a special collection of Christmas Rock n Roll tunes to bring a fun spirit to all Turntable and wfpr.fm listeners. 
• From Pauly G and The Vibe, we wish everyone a peaceful and merry holiday season!!!"

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