What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, October 31, 2026 ???

Saturday, October 31 = Halloween

• Get your spot for the FHS Theatre Company Boosters November Calendar Raffle  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/10/get-your-spot-for-fhs-theatre-company.html
• Last time to Order your KoC Thanksgiving Pie(s)  Please visit our website www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale

9:00am Advance Deposit of Early Voted Ballots (Franklin High School)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm 2026 Fall Dance Concert (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm 2026 Fall Dance Concert (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

8:00pm Alex Fradkin (live music) (The Tavern on Central)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

***  NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

Dean College Athletics & Recreation Announces Addition of Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field

Dean College is expanding its athletic offerings with the additions of men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field to its varsity athletics offerings, with indoor competition beginning in winter 2028 and outdoor competition following in spring 2028. The teams will compete in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).

The College has launched a national search for the program's inaugural head coach, who will lead recruiting and prepare the teams for their first seasons.

"Launching track and field gives student-athletes the chance to help build something new at Dean," said Geoff Lerner, Vice President of Athletics and Recreation. "We look forward to bringing together our first teams and hiring a coach who will support their development as competitors and students."

The new programs will expand opportunities for prospective students to compete at the collegiate level while pursuing their degrees at Dean. Members of the inaugural teams will help establish the program's competitive culture and traditions.

Further details about recruiting, coaching staff and competition schedules will be announced in the coming months.

To receive new information about track & field at Dean College, please contact Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Geoff Lerner via email at glerner@dean.edu.

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 160 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility, and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

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Shared from -  https://deanbulldogs.com/news/2026/10/30/general-dean-college-athletics-recreation-announces-addition-of-indoor-and-outdoor-track-field.aspx

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, October 30, 2026 ???

Friday, October 30

• Get your spot for the FHS Theatre Company Boosters November Calendar Raffle  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/10/get-your-spot-for-fhs-theatre-company.html
• Last time to Order your KoC Thanksgiving Pie(s)  Please visit our website www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale

8:00am LAST DAY of Early voting (Town Clerk's Office)

9:00am Advance Removal of Early Voted Ballots (3rd floor trng room)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm The JBTS Quintet (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

4:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

7:30pm 2026 Fall Dance Concert (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

***  NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, October 25, 2026 ???

Sunday, October 25

Get your spot for the FHS Theatre Company Boosters November Calendar Raffle

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/10/get-your-spot-for-fhs-theatre-company.html

7:30am Dean Dash Fall 5k (Longley Athletic Complex)

8:00am Early voting (Town Clerk's Office)

12:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

5:45pm ‘Over the Garden Wall’ themed walk with song (Dean College)

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

Dean College Vocal Ensemble schedules "Over the Garden Wall" walk with song on Sunday, Oct 25

Join the Dean College Vocal Ensemble for an ‘

Over the Garden Wall’ themed walk around campus! 

Come for Sweater weather, lantern light, and music that dances between spooky and cozy. Each leg of the walk will be punctuated by vocal performances and stories inspired our favorite Fall Cartoon. 

Gather at 5:45 PM on the patio outside of the Dr. Paula Rooney Student Center—The walk begins promptly at 6 PM and will last about an hour. 

Feel free to jump in if you catch us along the way!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Nvy6AVFee/ 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, October 18, 2026 ???

Sunday, October 18

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

8:00am Early voting (Town Clerk's Office)

8:00am Scary Scurry 5K (Children’s Museum of Franklin)

9:15am Scary Scurry Fun Run (Children’s Museum of Franklin)

12:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm `How the Democrats Lost America: Making Sense of the 2024 Election and the Future of American Politics’  (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:30pm        Franklin Public Library (open until 5 PM)

2:00pm Disney’s Frozen     (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm The Skin of Our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, October 17, 2026 ???

Saturday, October 17

8:00am Early voting (Town Clerk's Office)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

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

12:00pm Celebrating Voting Rights (Franklin Town Common)

2:00pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm The Skin of Our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

5:00pm    FHS Community Soccer night (Franklin High School)

5:00pm FHS Boys Varsity vs. Algonquin (Pisini Field, Oak St)

6:30pm Franklin Navratri (sold out) (Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School)

7:00pm FHS Girls Varsity vs. Natick (Pisini Field, Oak St)

7:30pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm The Skin of our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, October 16, 2026 ???

Friday, October 16

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Canceled = Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm Canceled = The Bad Apples (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

4:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

7:30pm Disney’s Frozen (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm The Skin of our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

*** NO Town Meetings today ***

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, October 15, 2026 ???

Thursday, October 15

4:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

7:30pm The Skin of our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

***  Town Meetings today ***

Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal session

250th Anniversary Celebration Events Subcommittee Meeting

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2552 

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, October 15, 2026  Time = 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10152026-2540

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 ???

Wednesday, October 14

1:00pm     Writer's Group (Franklin Senior Center)

4:00pm 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:00pm France 2027 Travel Presentation (La Cantina Winery)

6:30pm Franklin Elks Bingo Night (Franklin Elks Lodge #2136)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm The Skin of our Teeth (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

***  Town Meetings today ***

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026   Time = 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2561 

Board of Assessors Regular Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026  Time = 5:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2562 

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 14, 2026  Time = 6:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142026-2560 

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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 Union St Cemetery tour (video)

Dean College professor Rob Lawson walks through the Union St Cemetery with Scott Mason sharing stories.

Video link = https://youtu.be/wgAonH4qHxA?is=y0bNzIwSwLRKE-Zg

Discover Franklin’s Stories, Places & People with a 30 min Cultural Tour Oct 17, 2926

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new pilot experience from the Franklin Cultural District: the Franklin Cultural Landmark Tour! Join us for an afternoon of exploration as we uncover the stories, people, and places that have helped shape our community.

From the Veterans Memorial Walkway and War Monuments to the Franklin Historical Museum, Franklin Public Library, and Dean College, each stop offers a unique glimpse into Franklin’s rich history and cultural heritage.

The pilot tour(s) consists of four individual, stand-alone tours, each focused on a specific site within the cultural district. Note that registered participants do not travel between sites as part of the tour experience. Your district landmark tour will start at ticketed start time lasting 25-30 minutes.

See the link below for the full program description and register for your spot today

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultural-district-landmark-tours-tickets-2001593406761

The Halloween Cemetery Tour is back! Wednesday, Oct 28 at 5 PM

Via Rob Lawson

I want to let everyone know our annual tradition—the Halloween Cemetery Tour—is back! We’ll hold the tour on Wednesday, October 28 from 5-6 PM at the Union St. Cemetery (Union St. & W. Central). Admission is free. 

This year, I’ll be joined by two student co-hosts from our HIS 430: Public History course at Dean College: Sophie and Jackson. 

We’ll walk the cemetery, learning about Franklin’s religious history (and tombstone iconography as always), gruesome “true crime” stories, and major Franklin personas such as Rev. Emmons and Oliver Dean. 

Thanks for helping to spread the word!

Dean College on short list of colleges in possible financial trouble

From the Boston Globe: 

"Dean College: What was for decades a two-year school in Franklin, Dean College started offering bachelor’s degrees in the 1990s. But the school has struggled to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace in recent years.

Enrollment was down more than 13 percent between 2010 and 2024, and the school lacks substantial revenue sources beyond undergraduate tuition, so even modest enrollment declines are painful to the bottom line.

The college’s board has been approving special appropriations from the endowment to cover expenses, including a $3.9 million withdrawal in 2026. The total value of Dean’s endowment shrunk slightly in 2025 to about $66.2 million. The school is also discounting tuition significantly; its 1,092 students paid an average of roughly $33,200 each in tuition, fees, and room and board in fiscal 2025 even though the total cost of attendance listed on the school’s website is $73,972."

Continue reading the writing by the Globe’s Higher Education reporter, Hillary Burns

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/09/08/newsletters/mass-colleges-in-financial-trouble/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Dean College Announces 2026–2027 Performing Arts Season

Dean College proudly announces its 2026–2027 performing arts season, featuring theatre and dance productions performed by Dean students and brought to life in collaboration with accomplished faculty, guest artists, choreographers and directors. Running from October through May, the season includes four mainstage theatre productions, four major dance concerts and four student showcase productions.

“This season gives our students opportunities to explore ambitious works, develop their individual artistic voices and share their talents with the wider community,” said Stephen Ursprung, Dean of the Schools of Performing Arts. “From contemporary musicals and thought-provoking plays to original student and faculty choreography, each production reflects the creativity, collaboration and professional preparation at the heart of Dean’s performing arts programs.

This season also arrives at a meaningful moment, as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. While not every production speaks directly to patriotism, the season as a whole is shaped around the question of what it means to be American: how we exist in community with one another, how we face challenges as a society, and how we embody ingenuity, collaboration and resilience in the face of adversity.   

Regularly priced tickets range from $12 to $22 per show. Full-season ticket packages offer a 25 percent discount off the regular single-ticket prices. The Full Season Package (eight performances) is $132 for the general public and $72 for senior citizens and non-Dean students. All shows for Dean students are $5.  

The Theatre Series Package (four performances – “The Skin of Our Teeth,” “Urinetown,” “August: Osage County,” and “9 to 5”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.  

The Dance Series Package (four performances – “Fall Dance Concert,” “Faculty Dance Works,” “Choreographers’ Concert,” and “Dance Company”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.  

Ticket packages are now available online at www.dean.edu/performance. Individual show tickets will be available beginning September 8.  

Continue reading the press release which includes additional details on each performance

https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/dean-college-announces-2026-2027-performing-arts-season/

Dean College field hockey captain takes the field for Puerto Rico

The Franklin (Dean College) radar picked up this item of interest"

"For Lakeland graduate Emily Yazzetti, it is a special time as she is playing field hockey for the Puerto Rico national team that is competing in the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, that started July 24 and runs through Aug. 8.

https://news.halstonmedia.com/stories/yazzetti-takes-the-field-for-puerto-rico,89736

“Playing for this team means more to me than just making a name for myself,” Yazzetti said. “It's about representing a part of my culture, my country, and most importantly my family, who this wouldn't be possible without. Finding the true meaning for being a part of this team was hard, since I didn't have a great connection to the roots of where I come, but to build it myself is truly special.”

Yazzetti said the team wants to win badly to make a name for Puerto Rico field hockey.

“But even beyond the concept of winning, just to connect, grow, and play together as a team at such a high level of competition is an honor,” Yazzetti said."

....

"Collegiately, Yazzetti is a rising junior at Dean College, located in Franklin, Massachusetts, where she plays both field hockey and softball. There, she is a captain of the field hockey team, playing forward and attacking midfield and utility and outfield on the softball team.

“It's definitely a challenge to balance playing two sports at the collegiate level but it is so worth the effort put into it to be able to play the two sports that I love and grew up with,” Yazzetti said. “I love having a busy fall and spring now that I play both sports because I like to keep busy and hard work is good busy.”

Highlighting her time to this point at Dean College in field hockey was being named MVP of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship and leading her team to the title last fall."

You can read the full article online - https://news.halstonmedia.com/stories/yazzetti-takes-the-field-for-puerto-rico,89736

Franklin Distinguished Young Women Showcase Performance - Sat, July 25

Please join our eleven participants as they showcase all they learned in fitness, talent, self-expression, interview and scholastics!

Where: Dean College Campus Center -Main Stage Theatre

Time: 6 to 8 PM

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Shared from their Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/927735053685155/?active_tab=about

First Friday Networking Breakfasts return Friday, August 7 at 7:30 AM

First Friday Networking Breakfasts are BACK!

Please join us for a morning of coffee, conversation and optional breakfast on Aug 7th at 7:30 am. Open to all FDP members.

Board member @gregsafford will facilitate and answer any questions you might have about our upcoming Harvest Festival!

Not a member of the Downtown Partnerships? Check it out - https://franklindowntownpartnership.org/about/

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DalEWQnu5hJ/

Dean College Appoints Heidi Bruce as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni & Family Engagement

Dean College has appointed Heidi Bruce, MBA, CFRM, as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni & Family Engagement.

Bruce brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, donor engagement, and institutional advancement. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations, helping institutions strengthen advancement operations, increase philanthropic support, and deepen stakeholder engagement.

In her new role, Bruce will provide leadership for Dean College's advancement efforts, including major and planned giving, annual giving, alumni and family engagement, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and advancement operations. As a member of the College's senior leadership team, she will work closely with alumni, donors, families, trustees, and friends of the College to support Dean's strategic priorities and strengthen engagement across the College community. 

Continue reading the announcement - https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/dean-college-appoints-heidi-bruce-as-vice-president-of-institutional-advancement-and-alumni-family-engagement/

Dean College graduate and filmmaker Maximilian Kent to share Goddard's story

"Dean College graduate Maximilian Kent found himself fascinated with space flight, and while on staff for the school's newspaper, the Dean Daily, Kent reached out to NASA and received press clearance to cover the SpaceX Crew 10 launch in March 2025. Kent went on to create Countdown to Launch, to foster great interest in space exploration.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/franklin-tv-it-aint-rocket-science.html

Kent went on to coproduce and direct the 30-minute film, "Space Man," dramatizing Worcester native Robert Goddard's launch of the first liquid fuel rocket on March 16, 1926. At an event at the Pakachoag Gold Course in Auburn, where Goddard launched the rock at what was then a family farm, Kent met Travis Wohlrab, a public communications specialist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The meeting led to plans to screen the film June 27 and 30 at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The June 27 screening is free to the public; the June 30 screening is for NASA staff."

Continue reading the article  (subscription may be required)

https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2026/06/24/last-call-maximilian-kent-filmmaker-moon-man/90647144007/