Mike, the rescue pig, was the 1st on the journey toward "More Farm Than Fancy" (audio)

FM #1635 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1639 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Lauren & Ryan Maloney. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Thursday, January 18, 2026

 

Our conversation covers 

• Their journey from a few pets to a farm with over 40 animal rescues 

• To let them live a good life

• The 'a ha' moment for “More Farm Than Fancy” 

• The product line to help with funding the animals care

The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1639-more-farm-than-fancy-01-18-26/

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Lauren & Ryan Maloney

Follow “More Farm Than Fancy” on 

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1329150158885351 

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/more_farm_than_fancy/ 

Visit their web page -> https://morefarmthanfancy.com/ 

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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.

Mike, the rescue pig

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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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 096 - Childhood Reflection, If The Shoe Fits, Homage to a Christmas Tree, Hoarding is Murder, Baseball, & more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about childhood reflection, if the shoe fits, a homage to a Christmas tree, Alice shares the next chapter in Hoarding is Murder, and Scott shares a chapter from his upcoming baseball book.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-096-childhood-reflection-if-the-shoe-fits-hommage-to-a-christmas-tree-hoarding-is-murder-baseball-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

Get that spring feeling with Scott Mason as he shares some baseball stories (audio)

FM #1638 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1638 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Scott Mason. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, January 12, 20256

 

Scott Mason

Our conversation covers 

• Trains & baseball

• Pawtucket Red Sox, Ben Mondor

• Playing in senior league

• Spring training for new season

The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1638-scott-mason-baseball-stories-01-12-26/

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Recording for Train Town 1 - Franklin/Dean Station https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/talking-about-train-town-franklin-with.html 

Photos of Train Town 1  https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8 

Train Town 2 - Thompson Print & the railroad roundhouse  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html 

Photos of Train Town 2  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XmDcRiygct5kg6Vh7 

Train Town 3 - or “Franklin in Miniature” 

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

Photos of Train Town 3 or “Franklin in Miniature”

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6dX8gNB9q3yFfycW8 

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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!

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

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

MMA Podcast: Building Trust and Resilience in Local Leadership (audio)

What are the real pressures facing local leaders in Massachusetts in 2026? 

"We are not built to go out of business but we are funded to go out of business."

In this episode, we speak with the outgoing president and incoming president of the MMA — Franklin Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, respectively — as they go in-depth about how local leaders are often torn in multiple directions and work to achieve success for their communities under the constraints of time, staffing and budgets. 

They share how fortunate they feel to do the work they do, despite the challenges, and how the MMA is the “glue” that brings local leaders together to solve mutual problems. They also discuss tackling funding shortfalls, and what they’ve learned from their mutual love of hiking.

For Further Reading:

• More on Jaime and Kassandra’s leadership: https://www.mma.org/jamie-hellen-is-new-mma-president-kassandra-gove-is-vp/
• To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Listen On Spotify ->  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sJHSmaKU2ZC71rVSiRGtH 

Audio recording of the January 13, 2026 Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting in 3 parts (audio)

FM #1635-36-37 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1635-36-37 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 7 PM. All 7 members participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1635 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and everything else except  (approx. 1 hour 28 mins)

• FHS Program of Studies discussion (see 1636) 

• Teaching & Learning presentation & discussion (see 1637)  

• 1636 - segment from the meeting covering the FHS Program of Studies (approx. 51 mins)  

• 1637 - segment from the meeting Teaching & Learning presentation & discussion  (approx. 2 hrs. 3 mins)

  

Audio 1635 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1635-fps-sch-cmte-mtg-p1-of-3-01-13-26/

Audio 1636 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1636-fps-sch-cmte-mtg-p2-of-3-01-13-26/

Audio 1637 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1637-fps-sch-cmte-mtg-p3-of-3-01-13-26/

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-approves-trip-program.html 

audio segment 1635 has this portion of the meeting

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

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"

Audio recording of the Jan 7, 2026 Franklin (MA) Town Council in 3 parts: Facilities, 40B, & everything else

FM #1632-33-34 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1632-33-34 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated for this 4 hour plus session. 

 

• 1632 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, and everything else except  (approx. 1 hour 36 mins)

• the Facilities presentation & discussion (see 1633) 

• and the friendly 40b policy discussion (see 1634)  

• 1633 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the Facilities update from Kevin Harn  (approx. 1 hr. 27 mins)  

• 1634 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the charter change process  (approx. 1 hr. 5 mins)

  

Audio 1632 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1632-town-council-mtg-part-1-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1633 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1633-town-council-mtg-part-2-of-3-01-07-26/

Audio 1634 https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1634-town-council-mtg-part-3-of-3-01-07-26/

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Additional notes on the meeting recap can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/town-council-approves-amended-friendly.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"