FSPA’s Drama Department Presents Café Murder on Friday, May 2

Café Murder on Friday, May 2

FSPA’s Drama Department Presents Café Murder (Youth Play) Friday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX!

Tickets available at FSPAonline.com or by calling the office at 508-528-8668!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_fj-tx_KI/?

"Little Women" set performances at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

For the final production of our 2024-25 season, FPAC is excited to present the musical adaptation of Little Women June 6-8 at THE BLACK BOX! 

 

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. 

 

at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache, and hope – the sounds of a young America finding its voice. 

📚Directed by Ali Funkhouser with Musical Direction by Hallie Wetzell! 

🎟️Tickets on sale NOW at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!  Or directly -> https://theblackboxonline.com/little-women/

What is happening in May at THE BLACK BOX?

What is happening in May at THE BLACK BOX?

 

 

Check out what’s on the calendar for May at THE BLACK BOX! 

 

 

Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!  

 

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dvg5pMbeX/

Blood drive scheduled for THE BLACK BOX on April 22

Blood drive scheduled for THE BLACK BOX on Apr 22

We are excited to partner again with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, April 22nd 1:00-6:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX. 

 

We’ll be working together to give back to the community in a truly life changing way since each donation we collect can save up to three lives.

Please visit redcrossblood.org to sign up to be a donor. Enter zip code 02038 in the “Find a Blood Drive” search box, then scroll to the date. You can also sign up by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

We look forward to seeing you at THE BLACK BOX Blood Drive!

 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, April 11, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Friday, April 11

* Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Book Sale ($1/book) (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
7:00pm Culinary Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

 

 

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-calendars

2 performances of the Disney Showcase scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at THE BLACK BOX

Disney Showcase scheduled for Sat, Apr 12

 

Join us this Saturday, April 12th at THE BLACK BOX for the annual Disney Showcase! 

 

We’re so excited to cheer on all of FSPA’s performing ensembles and to get a sneak preview of the shows Broadway Light, Broadway Bound, and CenterStage will perform in Walt Disney World this month @disneysprings with @disneyimaginationcampus !  

 

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AYqTMD5ZE/

Tickets available online -> https://www.purplepass.com/organizer/82234

 

 

Culinary Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX, Friday, April 11

This Friday, April 11th at 7 PM, indulge in a delicious celebration of local culinary talent showcasing fine wines, craft beer, delectable spirits, flavorful dishes, and mouth-watering desserts at THE BLACK BOX!

Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

Culinary Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX

Proceeds of Culinary Cabaret directly support Electric Youth @electricyouth_usa , a teenage performance group backed by The Boston Show Band, delivering high-energy entertainment for all: contemporary pop, classic rock, and country hits! Join us at THE BLACK BOX when the culinary and performing arts unite for an inspired evening of fabulous libations, and entertainment!

Restaurant Partners: Sierra’s Brick Oven Pizza, LongHorn Steakhouse, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, Mykonos Greek Kitchen, Intermission Cafe, The Curry House, B. Food, Raillery Public House, Applause | Gelato & Unique Finds, and The Coachmen’s Restaurant.

Your all-inclusive ticket includes fabulous food, delicious wine, and craft beer tastings with great entertainment!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/18tCCzXnaz/

Franklin Community Raises Over $31,000 for Food Assistance at 'Party for the Pantry'

From Live Music to Dream Vacations, Franklin Food Pantry’s Annual Fundraiser a Resounding Success

The Franklin Food Pantry, which provides food assistance and programs in Franklin, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce it raised over $31,000 at this year’s Party for The Pantry which took place on Saturday, March 29, 2025.  The ticketed party, which took place at THE BLACK BOX, featured live music from The Pub Kings, J.P. Royer, and Matt Zajac and Friends, as well as a silent auction and numerous raffle prizes.

Franklin Community Raises Over $31,000

Sponsors for the event included: Allegra Marketing Print Mail, THE BLACK BOX, Direct Federal Credit Union, Laura and Kyle Juszczyszyn, Middlesex Savings Bank, Raydio, CR Schmall Building and Remodeling, The Baur Family, The Gendreau Family, Colonial Fence, Eagle Stainless Tube and Fabrication, Mike and Maureen Sabolinski, Elemen-Tree House, K Cooks, and Upfront Guitars.

New this year, the event featured a travel auction from AmFund Foundation, which provides fundraising travel programs to non-profit organizations, helping raise crucial funds through unique and memorable travel experiences. Party for The Pantry attendees had the opportunity to bid on eight once-in-a-lifetime vacations, including trips to Africa, Florence, Paris, Ireland, Sedona, Greece, Scotland, and Portugal. Those who were unable to attend the event but still wish to support The Pantry by purchasing travel packages can contact Julie Manninen from AmFund Foundation at julie@amfund.org.

“We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from our community at this year’s Party for The Pantry,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “The generosity shown by our attendees, sponsors, and volunteers will enable us to continue providing vital resources to our neighbors in need.”

Fundraising events are an essential operating revenue source for The Pantry. Money raised will purchase food and personal care items, pay for the cost of programs and services, and support daily operations.

For more information on supporting the Franklin Food Pantry, or to attend an upcoming fundraising event, please visit the Franklin Food Pantry website at www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,800 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. 

Programs include In-person Shopping, Curbside Pick-up, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. 

Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many" (video)

The Art Pharmacy Community Conversation was held at THE BLACK BOX on March 5, 2025. Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy opened the event with 3 panelists who made brief presentations and then participated in a Q&A session.

Panelists:

• Michael Bobbitt, Mass Cultural Council

• Emily Devlin, Art Pharmacy

• Amy Friguiletti, Deputy Town Administrator

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKvpBwHdyNE

The audio version (minus the Q&A section) can also be found online here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/use-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bring.html

Use of Opioid Settlement Funds to bring Art Pharmacy to Franklin "another first of many"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 23, 2025 ???

Sunday, March 23

** "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

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

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Children's Museum Fundraiser (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

2:00pm (sold out) FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm An Evening of Short Plays (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

** 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/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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 22, 2025 ???

Saturday, March 22

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours) 

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)

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

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

10:30am  Kat Chapman Concert! (Franklin Public Library)

12:00pm "A Mile for the Mind" (Franklin Sculpture Park)

1:00pm Saturday Sessions with George (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Open House Downtown Preschool (Downtown Preschool)

7:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Bucatino, North Falmouth)

7:00pm An Evening of Short Plays (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm (sold out) FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)

** 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/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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, March 21, 2025 ???

Friday, March 21

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->     
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

7:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Kennedy's Restaurant & Market, Marlboro)

7:00pm An Evening of Short Plays (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)

** 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/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

Talking all about the Party For The Pantry March 29 with Marsha & Jen (audio)

FM #1407 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1407 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Marsha Tait, Development Director, and Jen Johnson, Development Associate. We had our conversation in the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s on Monday, March 10, 2025. 

We talk about the Party for The Pantry scheduled for March 29 at THE BLACK BOX with musical entertainment provided by JP Royer, Matt Zajac, & The Pub Kings. 

Silent auction will be available online before and during the event closing out at 9:15 PM. Special bidding in person for one or more trips being offered by AMFund. The opportunity to bid on dream destinations, including Paris, Florence, Greece, Sedona, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, and Africa—all while supporting The Pantry.

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Marsha and Jen  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1407-party-for-the-pantry-03-10-25/

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Party for The Pantry page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/happenings/events/party/ 

AMFund travel information details -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/travel-auction/ 

Food Pantry current needs page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/ 

Amazon wish lists -> https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 

Sign up for a public tour of the Pantry -> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4baaa622a4f4c43-pantry#/ 

The Franklin Food Pantry is here for you. If you need us, we are here with not only food, but useful programs and resources for individuals, seniors and families struggling with food insecurity. If you can support us, we thank you - visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org  to explore volunteering, donating funds, donating food, or supporting our Capital Campaign to keep the lights on and the programs, from food elves to weekend backpack stuffing. It truly takes a village to keep our food pantry running and supporting the increasing demand, supporting our Franklin neighbors.

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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 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!

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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"

Talking all about the Party For The Pantry March 29 with Marsha & Jen (audio)