Mitzi & I talk about the Library December 2025 event highlights (video or audio)

FM #1596 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1596 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Tuesday, November 26, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

• Closing early Weds, Dec 24 and all day on Thursday, Dec 25 for Christmas

• Closing early Weds, Dec 31 and all day on Thursday, Jan 1 for New Years

• Book sale weekend December 12 & 13

• Library events for December 2025

• In calendar order rather than by category this time around

Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 14 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/Yaoze4TZtVE

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1596-franklin-public-library-december-2025-highlights-11-26-25/

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

Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

December newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7735  

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

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"

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 092 - Halloween's Past, Remembrance, Love, Kindness, Tis the Season, and much more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about Halloween 2025 as well as Halloween in the past, remembrance on teenage years, love poems, why kindness counts, a reading of Shakespeare, our stories of life, and tis the season.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-091-halloweens-past-remembrance-love-kindness-tis-the-season-and-much-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group

Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry, and more. 

Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS String Quartet on Sunday, November 16, 2025 (audio)

FM #1593 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1593 in the series. 

This session shares the Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS String Quartet at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, November 16, 2025. 

There is an intermission and at the end of the performance, the quartet does come back for a brief encore.

The audio runs about 90 minutes.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1593-livearts-string-quartet-free-concert-11-16-25/

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

Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS
String Quartet on Sunday, November 16, 2025 (audio)

Refer to the performance program for details on the pieces played ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CSsbvhDcd6_yF-wBuKXke3Mtuc3QxrrJ/view?usp=drive_link 

We did miss capturing the introduction to the piece played for the encore (which was not listed in the program).

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

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"

"Franklin in Miniature" exhibit opens at Historical Museum - Saturday, Dec 6

The Franklin Historical Museum and Franklin Historical Commission cordially invites you to the Grand Opening of our new exhibit "Franklin in Miniature"! 

Please join us for the opening ceremony at 10 AM on December 6, or visit us anytime in the months of December and January to view the exhibit!

The new HO scale train exhibit adds the Franklin Mill Store complex to that of  "Train Town 1" (Franklin Dean Station) and "Train Town 2" (the former Thompson Press & the roundhouse)

Listen to my conversations with Scott Mason as we talk about 

Train Town 1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/talking-about-train-town-franklin-with.html 

Train Town 2 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html 

Train Town 3 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town-3.html

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, November 28, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares the conversation about the Pantry Elves & Year end appeal by Franklin Food Pantry ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/pantry-elves-play-important-role-in.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

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

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, November 27, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 

• This segment shares my conversation with Scott Mason as we talk about Train Town #3 opening Dec 6 ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town-3.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• The Turntable Show hosts, Pauly G and the Vibe feature the "Pretenders" debut record on the Album Hour and an epic "Women of Rock" Vibe Playlist Hour.  The Pretenders debut vinyl released January 11, 1980 is the band's top selling album, certified platinum in many countries, with many hits including: “Brass in Pocket” (their biggest hit),  “Talk of the Town”, “Kid”, and  “Stop Your Sobbing”.   
• The Playlist Hour features many of the classic and new leading bands including:  Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, PLUS, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Amy Lee and Evanescence, Haley Williams and Paramore, Stevie Nicks, Nancy and Ann Wilson and Heart, Martha Davis and The Motels,  and Gwen Stefani and No Doubt.  Enjoy Chrissie Hynde and all Women of Rock Turntable Playlist!

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

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

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap, then budget & other Town business, before taking time to recoup (audio)

FM #1591 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1591 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Monday, November 25, 2025.  

Key topics

• Picked up with summer concert

• New Council, new School Committee, learning curve

• Tax rate hearing Dec 3

• Finance Committee Dec 10

• Council meeting Dec 17, a potpourri 

• January 2026 and the budget cycle brings hard choices to be made

• Cultural events this week and first couple of week of December

• Spend with with family & friends this weekend

The recording runs about  46 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1591-talk-franklin-11-24-25/

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

Talk Franklin starts with a summer concert recap,
then budget & other Town business,
before taking time to recoup (audio)

Town of Franklin page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 

Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 

Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/168/Town-Budgets 

School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-district-budget 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

BTW - Official results of the Override election in 2024 was a difference of 236 votes. The difference narrowed to 196 in the Override vote of 2025.

• 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/official-certified-results-franklin-ma.html 
• 2025 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/official-override-results-nos-take-it.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

• 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"