January Community Concert features Vera Meyer on the glass armonica

This event is being co-coordinated with the Franklin Historical Museum as part of Ben Franklin month. What is a glass armonica? 

Check out this short video by Ken Burns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57-JQlwRDqc. There will be more information to share in the coming weeks.

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Vera Meyer has appeared at the Franklin Historical Museum previously (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and most recently (Jan 2025 at Dean College) at part of the Ben Franklin Month Celebration. 

Franklin TV video of her visit and glass armonica performance in 2024

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/07/ben-franklin-book-week-vera-meyer-glass.html  or directly to YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24tz4q1n8hg

From 2011

Franklin Public Library: A preview of the top events for January 2026

New Service

Can't make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door. Home Delivery Service ensures that Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations can continue to benefit from library resources. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron's home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For more information, please visit the library website.

 

Special Events for Kids
K-Pop Demon Hunters Party, Friday, January 2 @ 10:30am
Calling all Demon Hunters! Join us for an epic celebration of everyone's favorite movie, with music, crafts, games, and a few surprises!

Rainforest Reptiles! Saturday, January 3 @ 10:30am
Travel with us to the different rainforests around the world and meet the critters, turtles, snakes and more that call these places home! Real, LIVE Animal Fun for All Ages!

Stuffed Animal Village, Saturday, January 10 @ 10:30am
Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a special day trip to our stuffed animal village! Visit the bakery, post office, gym, library, doctors, and more.

Hairstyling Workshop for Grown-Ups & Kiddos! Friday, January 16 @ 3:30pm
Join us for a special hairstyling workshop, perfect for learning something new in the New Year! Learn a few special styles and leave with a kit to continue building your skills at home.

Ben Franklin Birthday Bash, Saturday, January 17 @ 2pm
Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Ben Franklin himself! Music, games, and more.

Vision Board Making, Wednesday, January 21 @ 1pm
Families- set your intentions for 2026! Join us as we get crafty, creating vision boards AND setting our reading resolutions.

Tape Town! Saturday, January 24 @ 10:30am
Spend an imaginative afternoon at the library! Bring along a small toy vehicle (or borrow one of ours) and cruise along our "roads" made of tape all through our program room, and enjoy a series of interactive pretend play stations all through the town.

Special Events for Adults
The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution, Saturday, January 10 @ 4:00pm
As part of the town's annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution. Kirkus Reviews said: "Historian Chaplin focuses on Benjamin Franklin's multiple renditions of an innovative stove to examine the intersection of scientific inquiry, race, class, politics, and economics at a time of climate change and resource depletion―a period, she underscores, not unlike our own."

Go/No Go? Launching your Business w/ Mentors from SCORE, Thursday, January 22 @ 6:30pm
Registration Requested
Hey there, future small business owner! This one hour guided conversation will introduce you to the tools you need to confidently decide if your idea for a new business is ready to launch. Get your questions answered, avoid mistakes, and find FREE mentorship with SCORE.

Special Events for All Ages
Live Reading of the Franklin Biography, Thursday, January 15 @ 9:30am-7:30pm

Franklin Public Library: A preview of
the top events for January 2026 

A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding Father.

Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am
Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, January 16: 1 - 5pm
Saturday, January 17: 9am - 12pm
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag
Saturday, January 17: 1 - 4pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Joshua talks about his Capstone Project raising money for kids who love music (audio)

FM #1580 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1580 in the series. 

This episode shares the conversation I had with Joshua Shearer as he talked about his BFCCPS Capstone Project fund raising for the non-profit Music Will. 

Accompanied by his mother, Josh came to the Studio after school to talk about his love for music and his fund raising efforts which have raised over $2,000 in a couple of months for Music Will.

Listen in to our conversation (about 12 minutes)

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1580-josh-shearer-and-his-capstone-project-11-04-25/

Joshua’s page on Music Will

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Music Will home page ->  https://musicwill.org/ 

Joshua’s page on Music Will ->  https://give.musicwill.org/fundraiser/6591420 

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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"

"Ben Franklin stuffies are now available to take home"

"Ben Franklin stuffies are now available to take home"

via Franklin Police Dept:

"We know it can be tough to catch a sighting of Ben Franklin over the summer, and since everyone always asks if they can take him home, we decided it was time to say YES!

Ben Franklin stuffies are now available to take home with you, just stop by the station with $20 and tell them you’d like to adopt.

And make sure you keep his little ones with you because if you run into him he’s going to want to check up on them."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Asm1d8xxA/

BFCCPS announces middle school achievements in the fields of Science, Technology and Engineering

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is thrilled to announce middle school achievements this month in the fields of Science, Technology and Engineering. The mission of BFCCPS, includes a classical education whereby students are grounded in the fundamental subjects of literature, history, mathematics, science, language, music and the arts in order to understand culture and enable active participation in it.

BFCCPS students 1

The One8 Applied Learning Hub and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) hosted an Applied Learning Student Showcase on May 9, 2025 at The TRACK at New Balance in Boston, MA. Three 8th grade teams were selected from BFCCPS following an in school STEAM student showcase.

The students who participated in this statewide expo created a tri-fold board presentation and produced a functioning app on MIT App Inventor. Brainrot Dictionary was made by Aisiri Praveen, Lara Liedke, and Ella Phul. Trivia Verse was made by Avery Ivins, Emily Annantuonio, Briana Bastos, and Haley Berthelette. Cow Clicker was made by Nate Bjorkman, Arnav Garg, Max Primpas, and Jeremy Sanchez.

They were then introduced to many industry experts who asked questions about the creation of their apps along with suggestions for how to improve their apps in the future. It was a wonderful event and the students selected should be so proud of their hard work. Thank you to Jessica Kelleher our STEAM Teacher and Grades 6-8 Librarian for supporting this initiative and chaperoning the trip to the TRACK at New Balance.

BFCCPS students 2

The very next day, eight BFCCPS students in Grades Seven and Eight participated in the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF). The event was held on May 10, 2025 at Clark University, Worcester. We are excited to recognize the following students who earned accolades:

 

Grade Seven:

● Chittesh Patel received an Honorable Mention for his project The Green Revolution: Building a Sustainable Future with Renewable Energy

● Aagam Shah won first place in the MSEF and also qualified for the Thermo Fisher Junior Challenge with his project Optimizing Hydroelectric Power with a Siphon

Grade Eight:

● Aisiri’s Praveen received an Honorable Mention for her project Wind Wars: Bernoulli vs. Structures

● Mahathe Logesh won second place and also won the Thermo Fischer Award with her project Uncovering Hidden Sugar in Food

● Navya Satishkumar has won first prize in State Science and Engineering Fair for her project A Study of Concentrated Indoor Air Pollutants and Poor Ventilation in Urban Households: Sources, Health Effects, and Mitigation Strategies.

BFCCPS students 3

In addition, Agam, Navya and Mahathe have been recognized as Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge Delegates and have the opportunity to enter the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC).

Thank you to both Mr. Rutt and Mrs. Nestor for their support and encouragement of our scientists and in particular to Mrs. Nestor for attending the State Level Science fair with the participants and their families!

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

MSEF Middle School Science Fair Winners:

https://scifair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-MSEF-Middle-School-Award-Winners.pdf

wbur: How little Franklin, Mass. opened America's first public library (audio)

"Massachusetts is drenched in history. You can't go much of anywhere in the commonwealth without running into America's first something or other.

But not all firsts are created equal. Some are endowed with better backstories. To wit: the Norfolk County town of Franklin is home to America's first public library.

And who donated the original set of dozens of books that gave the Franklin Public Library its start in 1790? With many of said vintage volumes still preserved in a glass and wood display case in the library, waiting for you to pay a visit?

None other than Benjamin Franklin."

Continue reading -> https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/05/09/first-public-library-america-franklin-massachusetts

Books donated by Benjamin Franklin, on display in the Franklin Public Library. (Sharon Brody/WBUR)

Have a taco (or 2) and help the BFCCPS fund raising Apr 8 at Sante Fe Burrito

BFCCPS fund raising Apr 8 at Sante Fe Burrito

On April 8th, stop by Santa Fe Burrito in Franklin.

Show the attached flyer (on paper or on your phone) at the restaurant or type it in the comments when ordering online, and Santa Fe will generously donate 30% of the sales to our Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/163kcajpUy/

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

 

"You can now pre-purchase tickets, place an ad in the program or send well wishes to the cast & crew. 

Please visit this site for all the details! -> https://www.bfccps.org/apps/s/?s=12777"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, January 26, 2025 ???

Sunday, January 26

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• Last days to buy Music Booster calendar raffle for February

9:00am Fallen Heroes: William 0. Martello (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

1:30pm Vera Meyer performs on Ben Franklin’s glass armonica (Dean college, Marvin Chapel)

2:00pm Family Concert Series: Discover the World of Classical Music (THE BLACK BOX)

2:30pm Chess Group (Franklin Public Library)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

Inspired originally by the public readathon of Moby Dick, interested locals in Franklin began participating in a reading of the autobiography of the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin, several years ago at the library, on or near Ben’s January 17 birthday.

This year, to better coordinate with the potential availability of Dean students, the Autobiography Readathon has been moved to Thursday, January 23, starting at 1:30 PM at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.

You can still sign up for a reading slot below or just come by to listen. 

Sign up slots are for 15 minutes but readers can do less or more...The event is Free.

Sign up listing ->    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tKQY34S4LNN32Z0_EDdyXU-n5U8AT1Td7RbIsM_6if4/edit?usp=sharing

You can sign up to read at the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography Readathon - Thursday, Jan 23 from 1:30 PM to finish

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 17, 2025 ???

Friday, January 17 = Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday

• Music Boosters Fund Raiser @ Pokémoto
• Fund raising for FHS Science Olympiad @ Panera Bread
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

9:00am New Student Open House (ECDC)

1:00pm Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

1:00pm Ben Franklin Birthday Bash! (Franklin Public Library)

9:00pm Michael Rivelis (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 11, 2025 ???

Saturday, January 11

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)

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

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Franklin-ventions: Revolutionary Ideas in Franklin Industries (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am ‘Ben Gave us Books and We Gave the World Books’ (Franklin historical museum)

1:00pm Franklin Underground (live music) (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Padula Brothers (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm FPAC: To Tell a Story About the Earth (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm Peter Mulvey (live music) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Ben Franklin Book Week is now Ben Franklin MONTH - January 1-30, 2025 (Franklin, MA)

Ben Franklin Book Week was born in 2024 as "A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language." 

In its second year, this is annual event, now the whole month of January, celebrates the birth month of Benjamin Franklin, America's most inspiring 'founding father.' Ben's gift of books to the town of Franklin led to creation of the First Free Public Lending Library in North America and set the tone for Franklin's history ever since. 

Ben Franklin Month recognizes the town's ongoing book- and learning-friendly culture and the many other ways Franklin has inspired and continues to inspire creative endeavors with a growing slate of events and activities! 

Ben Franklin Month is led by the Franklin Historical Museum, with support from Franklin Public Library, and Dean College with grant funding provided by Mass. Cultural Council through the Franklin Cultural District Committee.

PLANNED EVENTS INCLUDE:

Sat. 1/4 Franklin-ventions: Revolutionary Ideas in Franklin Industries + a look at some of Ben Franklin's famous inventions. Continues all month during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.

Sat. 1/4 'Ben Gave us Books and We Gave the World Books' -- a display of Franklin-authored books, past and present. Continues all month during regular hours (Sat. 10-1 and Sun 1-4) at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street. (Are you a Franklin Author? -- contact alan.r.earls@gmail.com to join the display!)

Thurs. 1/9 JUNTO A Non-Fiction Book Club at the Franklin Library Starts in January! (Inspired by Ben Franklin's famous Philadelphia reading group, the Junto)! The first meeting is Thursday January 9th at 6:30PM. The January Book is Think Again by Adam Grant! Get a physical or digital copy through the Library Catalog!

Sat. 1/11 1:00—3:00 PM Ben Franklin Week Kickoff Concert at the Franklin Public Library with popular local favorite, Franklin Underground!

Sun 1/12 Second Sunday Speaker Series (Speaker to be announced) at the Franklin Historical Museum. Museum open 1-4, program starts at 1:15.

Fri. 1/17 Franklin Library Children’s Dept features Ben Franklin Birthday Bash. Check library website for details.

Sat. 1/18 Short Franklin-related films at Historical Museum during regular 10-1 hours.

Sun. 1/19 Third Sunday “music at the museum’ – Come learn about and experience the lively, underappreciated musical, Ben Franklin in Paris that ran for 215 performances on Broadway (1964-5)! Free.

Wed. 1/22 (even. Dean College Student History Reception at Franklin  Historical Museum 80 West Central Street

Franklin's Congressman Jake Auchincloss

Thurs., 1-23, Ben Franklin Autobiography LIVE Readathon at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, 1:30 PM to approximately 8 pm Come and participate! 

Contact Alan Earls with any questions (alan.r.earls@gmail.com). FREE. Note, the 'kick off ' reader (prerecorded) will be Franklin's Congressman, Jake Auchincloss followed by State Senator Becca Rausch (also prerecorded).  Volunteer readers typically participate for 10-15 minutes in sharing this classic work of American literature. Completion times vary but the event will likely end around 8 pm and will also include a 'tea' (Ben's favorite kind!) and reading of a short play written by Ben Franklin. Watch for a signup link on the website or come by to listen or participate!

Fri. 1/17 BIG Library Book Sale at the Franklin Public Library Friday, January 17th, 1:00-5:00

Sat. 1/18 Big Library Book Sale Continues 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon and from 1-4 its the Big Library BAG SALE

Sun. 1/26 Vera Meyer and Ben Franklin's Glass Armonica at Marvin Chapel, Dean College at approximately 1:30 (check back closer to the date) Among Ben Franklin's most amazing inventions is the glass armonica (or harmonica) , a series of concentric, rotating crystal glass bowls that can be played (think of the sound of wine glass rims being rubbed). Mozart and others composed music for it. And Boston area musician and expert Vera Meyer will return to Franklin for a performance featuring many styles of music [LISTEN TO SAMPLE HERE]. Don't miss the haunting, ethereal, and beautiful sounds of the armonica at the Dean College Marvin Chapel (second floor of Dean Hall) The event is also planned to include performance of Ben Franklin's funny, tongue-in-cheek play. Ben Franklin and the Gout. FREE

Check back for updates and/or new events and activities at https://benfranklinbookweek.com