What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, August 17, 2025 ??

Sunday, August 17

7:30am All You Can Eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)

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

1:00pm Odd Fellows Cornhole tournament (Bellingham Sportsman Club)

1:00pm Sunday Fundays (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

7:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

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

** 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

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

Annual Chapter 90 legislation delivers funding for paving roads, easing traffic, and culvert and bridge improvements

The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill to distribute $1.2 billion among cities and towns to maintain and repair roads and bridges across the state. Within the grants, State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) was pleased to advocate for the bill which provides significant funding for Franklin and Medway. Franklin will receive a total of $1,784,137.23 while Medway was awarded $797,908.81. 

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

“This legislation provides critical funding that allows for the needed repairs on roadways and infrastructure to ensure safer travels for my constituents and across the state,” said Representative Roy. “I want to thank House Speaker Ron Mariano and Joint Committee on Transportation House Chair James Arciero for their leadership in supporting this important piece of legislation.”

The funding, derived from bonding, will expand the Chapter 90 program and help address transportation related improvements, road and bridge repairs, and the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure.

The bill enacted includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, which provides funding to local municipalities for improvements on public roadways. This makes a 50 per cent increase over past funding levels. The bill also appropriates $885 million in additional funding that will help ensure the Commonwealth is able to achieve its long-term transportation goals.

“Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the Commonwealth’s public transportation, roads, and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the Commonwealth. I want to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Finn, and all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate, for supporting this vital legislation.”

The one-year $300 million authorization in the Chapter 90 program funding represents a historic 50 per cent increase and includes:

• $200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula;

• $100 million to be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.

Funding for three additional critical programs to support various transportation related projects include: 

• $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP), which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.

• $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program for municipalities’ local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement.

• $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings, and sidewalks.

How does one with a degree in neuroscience get a Grammy nomination? Listen to Kimberlee tell her story (audio)

FM #1495 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1495 in the series. 

Kimberlee O’Brien

This session shares my conversation with Kimberlee O’Brien, MEd, PhD on Monday, August 11, 2025. Kimberlee may be recognizable from her presentations on brains, or her drum circles, both activities at the Franklin Senior Center grant funded by the Franklin Cultural Council. She has also performed as a jazz singer locally including most recently at the Franklin Farmers Market.

With such a varied background, I felt that we would have a good and wide ranging conversation, and I think you’ll agree we did.

Did you also know that she is a Grammy nominated composer?

Listen in to our conversation (approx. 38 minutes)

Audio link ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1495-kimberlee-obrien-08-11-25/

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William James Faculty page -> https://www.williamjames.edu/about/profiles/faculty/kymberlee-obrien.html 

Neuralight Consulting -> https://www.neuralightconsulting.com/ 

Music link -> https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/kymberlee-obrien/

PR -> https://www.artistpr.com/press-release/grammy-recognized-artist-kymberlee-obrien-blends-jazz-latin-and-pop-in-new-anthem-of-resilience/ 

Her Grammy nominated single -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKSGrDgK8Fo 

Items mentioned during our discussion

• Alive Inside -> https://www.aliveinside.us/#land

• Greater Good at UC Berkeley ->  https://www.aliveinside.us/#land

• TEDx at William James -> https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/60382

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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"

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Welcomes New Families for 2025-26

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is excited to welcome new families to begin their performing arts journeys at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin, MA for the 2025-26 School Year.  

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance, and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities. FSPA believes that an education in the performing arts, whether or not pursued for a professional career, provides young people with lasting life skills. 

Franklin School for the Performing Arts Welcomes New Families for 2025-26

Students of the arts develop personal attributes including focus, discipline, self-esteem, and an understanding of teamwork. Superior communication and social skills become strengths of students who pursue music, dance, and drama. Conservatory and career bound students, as well as those who attend classes for fun, gain a sense of accomplishment and the confidence they need to succeed in all endeavors. 

The FSPA School of Music features an impressive faculty of Boston area professionals. Student musicians are trained through private lessons, group classes, ensembles, and recital opportunities. A student can begin as a toddler in Little Music School and graduate with Senior Recital Honors, or simply enjoy lessons for fun. FSPA’s Voice Program is committed to nurturing three pillars of vocal success: confidence, technique, and musicality. Voice students develop healthy technique, gain critical knowledge to strengthen musicality, and build stylistic skills within a varied repertoire of vocal genres.

The program fosters a lifelong love of using one's voice and builds the professional singers, choirs, and audiences of tomorrow. The FSPA School of Music offers private lessons in all instruments. Opportunities for instrumental study abound at FSPA, with studio instruction available on piano, drums, bass, guitar, ukulele, woodwinds, strings, and brass for children and adults. Collaborative small ensemble coaching, theory, chamber music, and ear training classes round out the extensive music program. Unique to FSPA, Little Music School teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano, engaging them from the earliest age in the joys of music-making and exploration of the arts.  

At the FSPA School of Dance, students dance for the art, not the trophy. FSPA believes in fostering a love for dance through artistic expression and breathtaking performances without the burden of expensive, time-consuming competitions, offering a community where creativity thrives, performances shine, and the joy of dancing takes center stage. Classes for all ages and levels are offered in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern/Contemporary, Dance for Musical Theater, and Commercial Pro Dance. The School of Dance faculty focuses on what truly matters: students’ growth as dancers and artists. With fewer travel expenses and no pressure to compete, dancers flourish in a positive, supportive environment.  

The FSPA School of Drama offers a rare opportunity to pursue Musical Theater at the highest level. With professional training in the three schools of Music, Dance, and Drama as well as extraordinary performance opportunities, FSPA’s Musical Theater program instills a lifelong love of Musical Theater, while carrying those who choose to pursue it professionally to Broadway and beyond. From the basic elements of pantomime and role playing, to character development and scene study, Acting students are introduced to the fun and work involved in theater. The FSPA School of Drama strives to build great artists while teaching students to work together and think creatively. 

Interested students and families are invited to stop by 38 Main Street to tour the facility, speak with faculty, and learn more about all FSPA has to offer. Additionally, families may call 508-528-8668 to speak with FSPA’s staff or email reception@FSPAonline.com. 

FSPA is excited to launch a new and improved FSPAonline.com in September.  

Franklin TV: Our Open Board Meeting - Saturday, Aug 23 at 3 PM - The Invitation Bears Repeating

It’s Happening. August 23rd at Our Studio

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/27/2025

Our Annual Open Board Meeting will take place as our neighborhood block party. Come to our 23 Hutchinson St. studios.

It’s open to all Franklin businesses and residents. We’ll meet-and-greet and enjoy the day starting at 3:00 PM. Come hungry and enjoy steak tips, pulled pork, dogs, burgers and all the fixin’s – along with tunes, games and fun.

You can also tour our studios and learn about Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm. We’ll also briefly review the past year’s progress and plans for the future. At our meeting you may cast your vote for new and/or renewing board positions.

Excerpt from FCCA bylaws: (Available on our website.)

Section 15. Election of Director by the Membership (a) Members shall be notified by the Clerk of the election of a director by the Membership at the Annual Meeting. Said notice shall be in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 4 of this Article IV. (b) Any eligible voting Member may be nominated for election to the position of Director by:

(i) Written notification to the Clerk no later than seven (7) days prior to Annual Meeting; or (ii) By nomination from the floor of the Annual Meeting made and seconded by no less than three (3) eligible voting members.

Thanks to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make

Franklin●TV all that a public access TV studio can be. 

If you would like to become

involved either as a volunteer or to create your own TV or radio programs at

Franklin●TV and wfpr●fm, just send an email to: info@franklin.tv with your contact information. 

You can also call us to discuss and explore your ideas. 508-541-4118

Please join us at our Franklin●TV event. Come meet, greet, chow down, have fun, and learn all about local TV and radio in Franklin.

See you then.

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

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

Franklin Art Association welcomes Paul Olson as their demo artist for Sep 3 Meeting

The Franklin Art Association is excited to welcome Paul Olson as their demo artist on Wednesday, September 3, to kick off their 2025-2026 season.  The FAA meets at the Franklin Senior Center at 6:30pm first Wednesday of each month, where new members and the public are invited. 

Paul will demo his approach to plein-air painting.  Paul Olson is a Rhode Island-based plein-air painter inspired by the natural splendor of our beautiful Narragansett Bay. Olson’s artwork reflects his deep connection with nature and his love for the flora and fauna of the coastal landscape around him. He can often be found at his easel on his small boat, documenting the effects of wind and weather, sky and water. His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the Northeast, and in some less traditional spaces like the Providence Place Mall and the Local 251 Teamsters Union Hall. 

Paul is also a lover of trees, having had two exhibitions of tree paintings at Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, and is a potter making containers for Bonsai, and cultivating his own collection of miniature trees.

Olson has been a passionate teacher at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) with a career spanning over 25 years. Semi-retired but still teaching Oil Painting as a Senior Critic in the Illustration Department at RISD, Paul now spends more time out painting, enjoying being part of the landscape in the open air.

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, Aug 17, 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