Testimonials recorded at the SAFE Gala - April 17, 2026 (audio)

FM #1730 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1730 in the series. 

This episode shares the testimonials I was able to gather during the SAFE Coalition Gala held on April 17, 2026 at Gillette Stadium. I was fortunate to have an official Press Pass for the evening and am grateful to be able to share these recorded testimonials with the community. 

Testimonials from

• Lucas Giguere, Superintendent Franklin Public Schools

• Jim Derick, co-founder of the SAFE Coalition

• Jeff Roy, Franklin’s State Representative

• Bob Dellorco & Greg Connor

The conversation runs about 15 minutes, let’s listen

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1730-testimonials-at-safe-gala-04-17-26/

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SAFE Coalition web page  https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Franklin TV recorded the speaker portion of GALA  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Xby1B-lQM 

Video testimonial from Mark, a client of SAFE https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/safe-coalition-hear-marks-story-video.html 

Other links of the SAFE Gala  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/04/safe-coalition-holds-their-10th.html 

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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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Quattro Eroi Lodge #1414 - 100th Anniversary Pasta Dinner - May 17

Quattro Eroi Lodge #1414 - 100th Anniversary
Pasta Dinner - May 17

"The Quattro Eroi Lodge's celebratory dinner will be held on May 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the VFW Hall, 1034 Pond St. The dinner will be catered by Oliva's in Milford and includes pasta, meatballs, salad, bread as well as coffee and dessert. Drinks will be available at the VFW bar.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for members and $10 for children under 12). They can be obtained by sending a check made out to Quattro Eroi Lodge to 1 Toni Ln, Franklin, MA 02038 and tickets will be mailed to you.

In addition to the dinner, there will be a raffle of at least 17 baskets of goodies and a short presentation honoring the "4 heroes" for which the Lodge is named. They are: Emilio Daddario, Alfred Mucciarone, Alessandro Patete, and Patrick Ristaiino.

Rep. Jeff Roy, Town Council Chair Bob Dellorco, and Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staiti will present citations in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Lodge.

It promises to be a fun evening with great food, nice prizes, good conversation and interesting people!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSJ5WVs8F/

SAFE Coalition holds their 10th Anniversary celebration at Gillette Stadium (video)

A sell out gathering of 500 or so folks celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the SAFE Coalition with a GALA event at Gillette Stadium, Friday, April 17, 2026.

You can view the  live streamed event via Franklin TV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Xby1B-lQM

Photo album of the event - https://photos.app.goo.gl/sGEetaQy4eSKFmbg8

SAFE Coalition holds their 10th Anniversary celebration at Gillette Stadium

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ???

Tuesday, March 3

• Regular curbside trash/recycle schedule for this week
• Free overflow bags at DPW Admin building, 257 Fisher St
• Hours added at Beaver St Recycling Ctr  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/reminder-regular-curbside-schedule-for.html

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:30pm Franklin Garden Club - monthly meeting (Franklin Senior Center)

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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

*** Town Meetings today   ***

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Special Meeting

Tuesday, March 3 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03032026-2165 

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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

Pour Richard's The First & The Last 1st Anniversary Grand Tasting Feb 7

Pour Richard's The First & The Last
1st Anniversary Grand Tasting Feb 7

via Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions

"Turns out we don't actually know when Giorgio is retiring, but we're not going to waste an opportunity to party and open bottles.

Mark your calendars and come prepared, you know how we do things."

Shared from -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/14XtdxMvcWB/

Fraser Engineering celebrated its 75th anniversary & grand opening of its new headquarters in Franklin

Fraser Engineering marked a historic milestone Thursday, October 23, 2025, as the company celebrated its 75th anniversary and the grand opening of its new headquarters in Franklin. The event brought together employees, friends, family and members of the community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the company’s proud legacy and continued growth.

Fraser Engineering celebrated its 75th anniversary
& grand opening of its new headquarters in Franklin 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, supported by the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, Fraser Engineering was honored with an official citation from state Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to tour Fraser’s workshop and pre-fabrication facility during an open house showcasing the company’s advanced capabilities and highly skilled workforce.

“At Fraser Engineering, we truly are great people doing great work,” said Cecelia “C.J.” Fraser, CEO of Fraser Engineering. “Our new headquarters reflects our remarkable journey, our dedication to our clients and our drive to keep building excellence for the next 75 years and beyond.”

Founded in 1950 by Mr. and Mrs. Lester Fraser Sr., Fraser Engineering began with a simple belief: that good people, hard work and creative problem-solving are the foundation of customer satisfaction. Seventy-five years later, that philosophy continues to drive the company’s success under third-generation family leadership. Today, Fraser Engineering is recognized as one of the region’s most diverse contracting and service companies, proudly certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a woman business enterprise (WBE).

Photos from the event can be found here

The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

Come support our Bands and players as we celebrate music from the 80s, while we raise funds for a new sound panels and in-ear systems for the studio! 

Pot Luck and Pictures from 12:00 to 12:45 PM

Suggested donation $10.00pp - Venmo Kris-Russell-9 and CashApp $Krisdrum101 

Awesome prizes awarded for two totally fun contests - 80's Dress & 80's Dance!

Please contact Kris Russell @ 508-520-1414 or email thedrummersstudio@gmail.com

To RSVP, click here https://evite.me/dHBEmM1wAy

La Cantina Winery celebrates its 10 year anniversary

La Cantina Winery celebrates 10 year anniversary

La Cantina Winery is celebrating 10 amazing years and you’re invited to the party of the decade!

Saturday, May 17 | 12PM–10PM Live music | Raffles | Prizes | Special Menu | Nonstop Fun!

We’re bringing the energy, the wine, the food, and the music all that’s missing is YOU!

Let’s raise a glass, and celebrate this incredible milestone together.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DJb5AWlR5wm/

You're invited: The GlenPharmer Gala - May 8, 2025

Get your tickets to the Glen Pharmer Gala, Thursday, May 8, 2025

https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1076491&restref=1076491&experienceId=463415

 

You're invited: The GlenPharmer Gala - May 8, 2025

 

You're invited: The GlenPharmer Gala - May 8, 2025

Help GlenPharmer celebrate turning 5 🥳 !!!

5 ways to celebrate with us 👀

Copyright © 2025 GlenPharmer Distillery, LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 860 West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038

 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏

The Shed celebrates 2 years; Join them in celebrating

The Shed celebrates 2 years; Join them in celebrating 

We’ve got 2 on our minds! 

2 years SERVING OUR COMMUNITY 

2/20/23 When it all began…. We wouldn’t be here without all of you 

Join us in celebrating!

• Thursday Select appetizers 

2/20/25 || 2 for $20

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

Franklin Public Radio: Eight Years Ago - Groundhog Day, Our Anniversary!

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/02/2025

Franklin Public Radio began broadcasting On-Air as wfpr.fm on 102.9 at 10:29am on Groundhog Day in 2017. We also stream our programming online at wfpr.fm. Since that time we haven’t missed a beat, operating continuously, 24/7/365.

 radio tower new extention securely placed in 2022

It has been eight years of local information and interviews by a growing group of on-air volunteers (our radio gang) and all that jazz. If you build it they will come. And indeed they have. This year we are expanding our radio schedule to include more opportunities for podcast-minded citizens to participate and broadcast their programming on the air.

If you have an interest and would like to produce your own regular podcast as a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly series, we can help – both creatively and technically. You can contact us by email at info@Franklin.TV, or just call 508-541-4118.

We also give a nod of congratulations to mark Lenzi and Kim Simone and their weekly program/podcast The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW). This year they are honored as First Place Winners by the Tastemakers Media National Academy for their programmimg. They have also been syndicated by PRX, the national Public Radio Exchange.

We maybe a small community radio station, but we have a big reach. People around the globe listen to our programs live, streaming from our website at wfpr.fm.

We’re local. We’re worldwide. We’re Franklin Public Radio, wfpr, 102.9 fm Tune in anytime.

And – Punxsutawney Phil’s 2025 prognostication? Eight more years and beyond of great public radio.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Rise Up celebrates 1 year anniversary

Via Ali Rheaume:

Today (8/17/24) is Rise Up's one year anniversary 🎉

Rise Up celebrates 1 year anniversary

I took a chance in August 2023 to start something our community was missing, and it has paid off!!

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Rise Up is a social hour intended to connect the community with those navigating life with disability.

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Anyone 18+ is welcome to join us, disability or not.

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We've had so much fun and are looking forward to another year, so come join us!

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Special Thanks to:

- all the attendees who show up

- my mom and dad for always taking me and helping me run it 

- Steve Sherlock for the continued support and community connections 

- Franklin EMS and Police Dept for joining us and educating us

- Representative Roy and James Gay for joining and supporting us

- Lisa for joining us and sharing your Merge resource with us 

- Franklin United Methodist Church for providing us space to host

»

This is what community is all about!!

»

If you're interested in joining and/or want to be a guest speaker/resource, message me.

»

Learn more about Rise Up and sign up for emails -> 

https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

 

View Instagram reel -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-xs0w3OpC9/?igsh=MTk4dXIydWloOHlkeA%3D%3D

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/AAjYJuSU2hVeprUd/

Franklin Food Pantry: Celebrating One Year at 341 W. Central St.

Dear Friend,

This June marks one year since The Pantry moved to 341 W. Central St.! We have grown so much and are serving more neighbors through in-person shopping, curbside distribution, weekend backpacks, home delivery, and more. We have also expanded our food rescue partnerships and offer more choices including culturally appropriate food. 

Our team of volunteers has grown to over 300 individuals, and we are strengthening our commitment to sustainability by installing solar panels and launching a compost program. All that we have accomplished is because of YOU! We are grateful for our volunteers, donors, business partners, and clients. The support we have received is a true testament to the generosity and kindness in our community and I am proud to call Franklin home. 

Unfortunately, hunger in Franklin persists. This month, our partner the Greater Boston Food Bank released its fourth annual statewide study Food Equity and Access in Massachusetts: Voices and Solutions from Lived Experience. Many of the key takeaways mirror our experience at The Pantry: the cost of living and food is too high; people must choose between buying food or paying for housing, utilities, education, or transportation; food insecurity exacerbates many medical and mental health conditions; SNAP, WIC, and school meals are not enough. 

While we are excited about our one-year anniversary, we know that there is more work to be done and remain committed to meeting the growing demand for food assistance.

Donate and Help Fight Hunger https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-gifts/

Help us celebrate our one-year anniversary by getting involved with The Pantry – host a food or fund drive, make a monetary donation, or volunteer. There are so many ways to help us fight food insecurity and we can’t do it without you.

With gratitude and appreciation for your continued support,

Tina Powderly

Executive Director, 

Franklin Food Pantry

Read the Greater Boston Food Bank Report -> https://www.gbfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GBFB_Food-Access-Report_2024_final.pdf

Franklin Food Pantry: Celebrating One Year at 341 W. Central St.