Italian exhibit now open, Stephen Puleo is the Sunday Speaker at Franklin Historical Museum - Apr 12

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Sons & Daughters of Italy, the Museum will be inaugurating an exhibit dedicated to Franklin’s Italian-American community!

The exhibit includes many photographs and memorabilia of the Lodge and the local Italian community and will kick off other related events, culminating in a banquet at the VFW on May 16. Organizers are also hoping to conduct oral history interviews and to gather old photographs for scanning and sharing!

On Sunday, April 12, the Museum will be hosting celebrated historical author Stephen Puleo to discuss his book “The Boston Italians.” In it, Mr. Puleo chronicles the arrival and establishment of Italian-American communities from the North End to the present day. His talk will begin at 1:15, and is free to the public.

$5 donations to the Museum are encouraged.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dy8CCWFfF/

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for April 2026

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for April 2026

Regular Hours: Saturdays 10-1, Sundays 1-4

Saturday, April 11 – Exhibit Opening --  Sons & Daughters of Italy 100th Anniversary

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, often called simply The Sons of Italy, got is start in New York City in 1905 as a means to help Italian-Americans in their new country. And, by 1926, Franklin’s Italian community got into the act with a vast affair held at the Morse Theater on Sunday, May 2. The Quattro Eroi (four heroes) Lodge was named to honor the four Italian-American men from Franklin who died in the Great War, Alessandro Patete, Patrick Ristaino, Albert L. Mucciarone, and Emilio Daddario. The officers filed into the theater, filled with members of other Lodges and officials of the Grand Lodge. `Venerable’ Giulio Gentili of the Mansfield Lodge bid them welcome and Arduino De Santes of Mansfield performed an initiation – and the Lodge was “in business.”  

The exhibit includes many photographs and memorabilia of the Lodge and the local Italian community and will kick off other related events, culminating in a banquet at the VFW on May 16. Organizers are also hoping to conduct oral history interviews and to gather old photographs for scanning and sharing! The museum is open from 10-1. Admission is free but a suggested donation of $5 or more is always encouraged and appreciated.

Sunday, April 12  - Author Steve Puleo Will Talk About his Book: The Boston Italians

In this lively and engaging history, Stephen Puleo tells the story of the Boston Italians from their earliest years, when an often illiterate and impoverished people in a strange land recreated the bonds of village and region in the cramped quarters of the North End and beyond. Focusing on this first and crucial Italian enclave in Boston, Puleo describes the experience of Italian immigrants as they battled poverty, illiteracy, and prejudice; explains their transformation into Italian Americans during the Depression and World War II; and chronicles their rich history in Boston up to the present day. 

The museum opens at 1 and the program will start at 1:15 The museum closes at 4. Admission is free but a suggested donation of $5 or more is always encouraged appreciated.

Quattro Eroi Lodge cooking shows feature Italian recipes (video)

via Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 Sons of Italy, Franklin MA

"A couple of years ago, the Lodge produced two cooking shows. I thought it might be interesting to post those shows here again for anyone who might have missed them. 

Here are the original posts from 2023 including the links to YouTube:

I am very happy to present the first of our 2 most recent cooking shows! This one features Lisa Oxford preparing a vegetable stew. It is both a healthy and delicious dish and relatively easy to make. 

You can watch the show on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0UzRAnakw

I hope you enjoyed Lisa's presentation and I hope you tried the recipe. It's delicious! You might want to follow the Ciambotta with a great dessert! Our next presentation features Dora Brett making Italian Ricotta Cookies. 

They are so moist and delicious! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg1J1r2xtHQ"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16yw8pmEV4/

Four courses. Four regions. All Italy - March 5, 2026

Four courses. Four regions. All Italy - March 5, 2026

Collab wine dinner w/ Federico at Birchwood:

• Torta Salata alla Scarola (savory endive tart) × Greco di Tufo
• Sgombro in Carpione (marinated mackerel) × Valpolicella Ripasso
• Pasta al Sugo Genovese (slow-braised beef & onion sauce) × Nobile di Montepulciano
• Agnello alla Romana (Roman-style lamb) × Taurasi Aglianico

March 5 @ 6:30 PM

If you love Italian food + proper pairings, this is your night.

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUtE2CNgHZ0/

Steven Puleo talks about "The Boston Italians" - April 12

Steven Puleo talks about
"The Boston Italians" - April 12

Quattro Eroi Lodge is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a presentation and book signing by author and historian Steven Puleo. The event will be held at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 PM. It is free and open to the public. 

The presentation will focus on his book "The Boston Italians." Puleo is the author of several other books including "Dark Tide" about the molasses spill in the North End, as well as books about the Civil War, World War II, the Irish Famine, and most recently about Charles Sumner, the Great Abolitionist.

The event is part of our 100th anniversary celebration and will kick off an exhibit at the Historical Museum celebrating our 100 years of history. We will also be hosting a celebratory pasta dinner on May 16 at the VFW Hall. More information on these events will be posted here as we get closer to the events.

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

Italian Roundtable: Experiences of 20th Century Immigrants - November 14, 2025 (audio)

FM #1583 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1583 in the series. 

Gino Carlucci was the Master of Ceremonies for the "Italian Roundtable: Experiences of 20th Century Immigrants" held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center.

Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy In America put this program together.  The participants for the discussion in order of speaking (for TV viewing from left to right) were:

• Eddie Colace - Franklin  

• Phyllis Vozzella - Franklin

• Antonio Cence - Bellingham 

• Al Pizzi - Franklin

• Mike Narducci - Medway

They shared their experiences on the following topics:

• Age/year of move

• Memories of home town

• Initial impressions

• Steps taken to adjust

• Career/job/family

• Places lived

• Changes observed during lifetime

The recording runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1583-italian-roundtable-discussion-11-14-25/

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The program available at the Senior Center for this roundtable is available in PDF

Italian Roundtable: Experiences of 20th
Century Immigrants - Nov 14, 2025 (audio)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EvXCw-7i5Br8qjMK96jWBZ7b-jlZwMyI/view?usp=drive_link  

Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 -> https://www.osiama.org/quattro-eroi-1414

When the Franklin TV video of this event is available, we'll share that also.

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, November 14, 2025 ???

Friday, November 14

• Yard waste pick up this week

What's happening in Franklin, MA

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Art Pharmacy Check in (SAFE Coalition)

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

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

1:30pm Italian Roundtable: Experiences of 20th Century Immigrants (Franklin Senior Center)

6:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) Sunshine Tomato Pizzeria)

7:30pm Cabaret (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library events -> 

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

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

Library & Senior Center events

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

-----------

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

“Italian Roundtable: Experiences of 20th Century Immigrants” - Nov 14

“Italian Roundtable: Experiences of
20th Century Immigrants” - Nov 14

Panelists:

• Antonio Cence – Bellingham 
• Eddie Colace – Franklin 
• Angela Graceffa – Bellingham 
• Mike Narducci – Medway
• Al Pizzi – Franklin
• Phyllis Vozzella – Franklin

Organized by the Quattro Eroi Lodge 1414 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy In America

When: Friday, November 14, 2025 - 1:30 PM

Where: Franklin Senior Center

Many thanks to the Franklin Senior Center for hosting this event. Also, we very much appreciate Franklin TV for recording this session and making it possible for those not here today to view it. 

And most of all, we express our gratitude to the panelists for sharing their experiences in making a transition to a new country, with a different culture and different language.

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORxO6_MvDIG12HQKnrzpGU6w9OBWvqnW/view?usp=drive_link

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 10, 2025 ???

Saturday, May 10

Stamp out Hunger (leave bag for Postal Carrier pickup)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

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

10:00am Main St closed for Dean Commencement 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am Dean College 159th Commencement (Dean College)

1:00pm Italian film Festival - "Luca " (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm 3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Tri-County Regional Vocational Tech HS)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center 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

Historical Museum Weekend: Cinema 80 film Saturday; "The Pioneering Women of Franklin" Sunday

Saturday, May 10

CINEMA 80, the Museum’s film program is back with an Itallian Film Festival

In cooperation with the Franklin Senior Center and the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge, the museum will be hosting several free Italian-themed films, shown on Saturday at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted:

• May 10 - Luca ( at 1:00 in the afternoon) (Italian-themed 2021 Pixar animated film) 

Sunday, May 11

Second Sunday Speaker Series: For Mother’s Day, “The Pioneering Women of Franklin”

A group of very influential and accomplished women emerged in Franklin in the late 19th and early 20th century, heralding a new egalitarian era and (eventually) suffrage for women.  

Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls will relate the stories of a literary lioness, a missionary, an artist and educator who was torn between her native Germany and Franklin, and a woman who pioneered the dystopian novel.

There may also be mention of some important 20th century Franklin women.

  

The slide show and talk starts at 1:15.  

The museum is open from 1-4 and admission is free.

Historical Museum Weekend: Cinema 80 film Saturday;
"The Pioneering Women of Franklin" Sunday

Marcella DiChiara talks about her experience on Season 3 of the PBS' "The Great American Recipe" (audio)

FM #1207 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1207 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Marcella DiChiara, Franklin resident and cook. She was selected to participate in season 3 of the PBS show “The Great American Recipe.” We met to record this conversation virtually Friday, May 17, 2024.  

Marcella DiChiara

We talk about 

• How she got selected

• Learning Sicilian cooking from her mother

• The show experience (no spoilers)

• Queue for the first show June 17 at 9 PM Eastern
  

The conversation runs about 24 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Marcella. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1207-marcella-dichiara-talks-about-the-great-american-recipe-season-3-05-17-24

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Follow Marcella on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/bostonhomecooking/ 

The Great American Recipe show page ->  https://www.pbs.org/show/great-american-recipe/ 

Press release shared on Franklin MAtters -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/franklins-marcella-dichiara-was.html 

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

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin's Marcella DiChiara was selected to participate in Season 3 of "THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE" on PBS

Today (May 7, 2024), PBS announced the eight home cooks from across America who will showcase their culinary talents in Season 3 of THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE, the upbeat cooking competition that celebrates the multiculturalism that makes American food so vibrant and delicious. With a wide-ranging variety of cooking styles influenced by their varied backgrounds — from Alaskan to African, Chinese to Sicilian, Southern, German, Mexican and more, Season 3’s contestants represent the unique diversity of American home cooking.

Hosted by Alejandra Ramos, Season 3 of THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE features two new judges and a new location. Tim Hollingsworth, award-winning chef and Los Angeles restaurateur, and Francis Lam, host of public radio's "The Splendid Table," join returning host Alejandra Ramos and judge Tiffany Derry in Nashville, Tennessee. Each week, after two challenges, the judges will determine which home cook has the winning dish and, in the final week, the top three will compete for a chance to win this year’s competition. The eight-episode series premieres Mondays, June 17 through August 12, 2024, 9:00-10:00 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS,  PBS.org and the PBS App. 

Franklin's Marcella DiChiara is one of the Contestants:

Marcella DiChiara Marcella DiChiara (Franklin, Massachusetts) is a first-generation American whose passion for her Sicilian roots comes through in every dish she prepares. Her mother came to the United States with her family at age ten, and her dad immigrated to the United States in his late twenties. Growing up in Connecticut, Marcella spent every summer with her family, including her three siblings, back in Sicily. These experiences informed how she viewed cooking and the importance of family and community gathering around the table. Marcella works as an E-Commerce executive but never misses an opportunity to get in the kitchen and prepare a meal for her husband and two children. She prides herself on cooking traditional Sicilian dishes based on her mother’s recipes while using fresh, Mediterranean-inspired local produce. Marcella’s signature dish is Arancini al Ragu (Risotto Balls with Meat Sauce).

Meet the other Contestants

 

Mae Chandran (Malibu, California) was born in Guangzhou (Canton) in Southern China. At the age of three, she and her mother left China for Hong Kong. When she was eight, Mae left Hong Kong for Fall River, Massachusetts, to join her family, who lived above the Chinese-American restaurant they operated. Although Mae was immersed in the world of cooking (specifically Cantonese cuisine) from a young age, it wasn’t until she met and married her Sri Lankan husband that she began exploring the use of more spices and more "heat" in her recipes. Now with two grown children, Mae and her husband are enjoying retirement while she keeps busy working on their garden, which has been featured in The Malibu Times, making her international award-winning marmalade, and working on her memoirs. Mae’s signature dish is her Cantonese BBQ Chicken made with chicken thighs, Chinese brown bean sauce, hoisin sauce, and sriracha sauce.

 

Tim Harris (Fort Mill, South Carolina)  grew up living all over the world as a “military brat” until his father retired from a 27-year career in the US Air Force, and the family settled back in the Carolinas when Tim was 12. Influenced by his Dutch mother, as well as his paternal Southern Grandmama’s cooking, Tim developed an appreciation and a taste for many different types of cuisines at an early age. Now married with two children and a career in insurance, Tim uses his cooking to bring people together and spread community and positivity through his dishes. Creative and willing to try anything in the kitchen, he loves to grill, smoke meat, and feature fresh seafood from the Carolinas’ coastal waters along with bold flavors. Tim’s signature dish is his Lowcountry-Style Shrimp and Cheesy Grits.    Doug Heilman (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a training consultant who grew up on a farm in western Pennsylvania. With German roots from both of his grandfathers, Doug fondly remembers his maternal grandmother cooking what she referred to as “peasant food,” taking their traditional German recipes and making them with the produce and other ingredients they farmed. In his cooking, Doug draws inspiration from his German heritage (often utilizing his family’s handwritten recipe cards), the thriving and eclectic Pittsburgh food scene, and his husband’s Italian roots. He’s a frequent guest on local news, where he does monthly cooking segments and loves to host delectable dinner parties with his husband for friends and family. Doug’s signature recipe is Pickle-Brined Chicken Schnitzel.   Jon Hinojosa (San Antonio, Texas) was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, to proud Mexican parents. Tragically, both of Jon’s parents passed away when he was young, so learning to cook began out of necessity. It quickly blossomed into a passion as he worked in local restaurants – starting as a dishwasher and eventually serving as manager. Now with a family of his own and a proud dad of three adult daughters, he feels it’s more important than ever to celebrate their roots and fully embrace what it means to be Mexican-American. He extended his nurturing role to the work he did as Founding Director of a San Antonio-based youth organization that advocates for marginalized communities through a series of arts and culture programs. As he looks forward to his next adventures, his focus and work will always center on the arts, culture, and community. Jon’s signature dish is Green Chicken Enchiladas served with Spanish Rice.   Adjo Honsou (St. Louis, Missouri), originally from Togo, West Africa, combines her heritage with her passion for food. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 and, introduced to the art of cooking traditional West African dishes by her grandmother, Adjo's culinary skills flourished. However, sourcing authentic African ingredients in Missouri proved to be a formidable task. Undeterred, she embarked on a journey of exploration and experimentation, tirelessly researching and discovering local substitutes to recreate the flavors of her homeland. Today, Adjo proudly shares her love for West African cuisine with the St. Louis community and beyond. A scientist and single mother of two, she balances her professional responsibilities and familial duties while nurturing her entrepreneurial spirit. Two years ago, she started her food truck showcasing Togolese specialties at local events and festivals. Among her signature dishes is Oxtail Palm Nut Stew, a tantalizing fusion of oxtail, aromatic curry sauce, palm nut puree, and fiery habanero peppers.   Ingrid Portillo (Charlotte, North Carolina) was born in El Salvador in the mid-1980s. Her father was a farmer and rancher whose dream was for his children to continue that tradition, but Ingrid and her family were forced to flee to the United States to escape the Salvadoran Civil War. Ingrid credits her grandmother as her cooking inspiration, and she keeps her memory and legacy alive through her own cooking. Ingrid considers herself a lifelong PBS fan, having learned English and many cooking skills by watching PBS programs. After meeting her husband and having two kids, they relocated to North Carolina, outside of Charlotte. It is incredibly important for Ingrid that her children embrace their Salvadoran roots and honor the memory of their ancestors, especially those who didn't survive the war. Ingrid's signature dish is Pupusas with Curtido and Salsa Maíz — corn tortillas stuffed with braised meat and served with pickled cabbage and salsa.   Kim Sherry (Anchorage, Alaska) is an artist who grew up in the small town of King Salmon as a fourth-generation Alaskan. Coming from a family of subsistence hunters and fishers, Kim is an avid gardener who has always had an appreciation for the outdoors and a reverence for the wildlife that sustained their community. Kim has two teen daughters and credits her husband, Bruce, for expanding her culinary repertoire and introducing her to the global flavors that influence much of her cooking. While comfort food is her go-to, Kim is also a skilled baker and frequently uses a sourdough starter that’s been in her family for more than one hundred years! Kim’s signature dish is a Salmon Banh Mi.   Season 3 of THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE was filmed at GREEN DOOR GOURMET, a 350-acre farm, on-farm market, and agritourism destination in Nashville, Tennessee. THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE is co-produced for PBS by VPM and Objective Media Group America. Steve Humble is the Executive in Charge for VPM. Zara Frankel is the Executive in Charge for PBS. At Objective Media Group America, an All3Media company, Alyssa Hastrich is Showrunner, Layla Smith and Jilly Pearce are Executive Producers and Erin Flynn is Senior Vice President of Current Series.    About VPM As Virginia’s home for public media, VPM connects nearly 2 million people across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley to insightful programming in arts and culture, history, science, news, and education. VPM operates public television stations VPM PBS, VPM Plus, VPM PBS KIDS, lifestyle channel VPM Create and international program channel VPM WORLD, as well as Richmond NPR station VPM News (88.9 FM) and VPM Music (107.3 FM, 93.1 FM and 88.9-HD2). In the Northern Neck (89.1 FM) and Southside Virginia (90.1 FM), listeners receive a combination of news and music. Audiences can access VPM online at VPM.org and on Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.    About OBJECTIVE MEDIA GROUP AMERICA Objective Media Group America is the U.S. arm of Objective Media Group. An LA-based All3Media America company, OMG America is led by President Jilly Pearce in creating and producing original entertainment and reality formats, including “Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown (The Food Network) “Lingo” (returning for season 2 on CBS), “The Cube” (TBS), “12 Dates of Christmas” (HBO Max), “Worst Cooks in America” (The Food Network) and more. Objective Media Group, an All3Media company, is headquartered in London and headed up by CEO Layla Smith.    About PBS PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 42 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 15 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, and 56 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the  PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X (formerly Twitter).