Franklin's Event Outlook: February 2, 2023 to February 8, 2024

Why have multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. 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:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 2, 2023 to February 8, 2024

The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

FM #1136 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1136 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the founders of the forthcoming Children’s Museum of Franklin; Meg Hagen and Erin Gallagher. 

Meg and Erin fill us in on their Franklin story, the idea for the museum, starting as a pop up or mobile museum for now to help build interest and community excitement.

There are opportunities to help volunteer and contribute in other ways as well as financially. The show notes contain links to their web page with their pop up schedule and contact and contribution forms.

Let’s listen to my conversation with Meg and Erin

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1136-childrens-museum-franklin-starts-with-popups-01-10-24

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Franklin Children’s Museum -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/ 

Events -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/events 

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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

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"

The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

Community Relations Subcommittee meeting sets goals for year (audio)

FM #1130 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1130 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, January 8, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room.

Chair Al Charles opened the meeting, Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and Subcmte members Erin Gallagher and Ruthann O’Sullivan participated. 

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of January 8, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1130-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-01-08-24

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Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_community_relations_sub_committee_agenda.pdf 

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1czXmmWSu6G1nyzNCnV0gnRo3TcaOQx30/view?usp=drive_link 

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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

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

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or 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"

Community Relations Subcommittee meeting sets goals for year (audio)

Special episode on the MA Climate Leader Community program with Ted McIntyre & Cobi Frongillo (audio)

FM #1122 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1122 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the output of The Climate Minute podcast episode hosted by Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist, where he and I talked with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo. We met to record via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, December 28, 2023.  

The key topic for this session is Cobi’s advocacy for Franklin to be part of the Climate  Leader Community program established by the State of MA. 

Our conversation covers the six criteria for this program:

• Be a Green Community in good standing 

• Have a local body (sustainability committee, energy committee, etc.) that advises the municipality on clean energy/climate initiatives 

• Commit to eliminate on-site fossil fuel use by 2050 (municipal buildings/operations) 

• Create a municipal decarbonization roadmap 

• Adopt a Zero-Emission Vehicle first policy 

• Adopt the Specialized Opt-In building code

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and Cobi. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1122-making-sense-of-climate-37-12-28-23

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Link to the MA page on Climate Leader Communities -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/climate-leader-communities 

The Town Council agenda doc for the Jan 3, 2024 meeting contains supporting documentation as well as remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jan_3_2023_town_council_agenda.pdf

Links to other places you can find The Climate Minute

https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-climateleader-community/ 

 

You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-climate-minute/id589025783 

 

You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Podbean

https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/ 

 

You can listen to the #ClimateMinute on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/3UIZfLRoUQVLXUY2jMAsCk 

** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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

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"

Special episode on the MA Climate Leader Community program with Ted McIntyre & Cobi Frongillo (audio)

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 8, 2024 - 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Community Relations Subcommittee

January 8, 2024 - 6:00 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd floor Training Room

Agenda

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Finalize Goals

● In Person Event Planning

● Monthly Communication Planning

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_community_relations_sub_committee_agenda.pdf

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 8, 2024 - 6 PM

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert - NEW DATE - WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7 PM

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert 

- NEW DATE- WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7pm

Come on out, Wednesday, December 20 at 7pm to enjoy some holiday music with the Southeastern MA Community Concert Band (postponed from Monday due to weather). At the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Shared from -> 

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert - NEW DATE - WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee gets to work at first meeting

The Community Relations Subcommittee of the Franklin School Committee met as scheduled Monday, Dec 11, 2023 at 6 PM. I joined the meeting webinar about 5 minutes after the start. My notes captured during the session are shared below.

Quick recap:

• Members of the Committee are Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, and Ruthann O'Sullivan. Apparently Charles in the Chair. He referred to the agenda to keep the meeting moving along.
• Superintendent Giguere also participated to provide some background and insights. Fresh views should help this group. 
• Reviewed the standard annual events to participate in, learned of the contract firm to assist the School District with crisis management and overall communications. This group can leverage some of that capacity to help spread the word
• Meetings will be monthly on the second Monday so next session scheduled for Jan 8, 2024.

My notes captured via Twitter

• Joined the SchCmte community relations subcommittee meeting a few minutes late. Will share the audio if it makes sense. Members of the subcommittee visible via the Zoom session: Charles, Gallagher, O'Sullivan. Agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/_community_relations_sub_comm_agenda_12_11_23.pdf

• Supt Giguere participating. Charles and he have experience of this subcmte's work done previously, respectfully the two new members are getting up to speed.

• Discussion about interrelationship with Town Council & School Committee, regular meetings at TA and Supt level. Joint Budget subcmte also a key piece around the budget development and process. Possible budget workshop for SchCmte to include Central Office & principals ...

• The principals can add more details around particular initiatives as they are closer to the need and benefits.

• Major annual events Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival, etc. Reference to have all communications point back to the webpage, updating the page to help reinforce.. the message. The proper answer to a question/topic, etc. How does this committee handle or have a possible role in sourcing info from the community to help info the SchCmte and or Central Office to address?

• First how to be informed, second how to respond/address. Part of the newsletter would also include how to provide feedback, question, etc.

• Desire to have a regular link to use for the newsletter so overtime people could go there for updates and info.

• Contracted services with John Guilfoil jgpr.net

• A sports story coming on the multiple coach of year awards announced recently. In addition, FHS won a sportsmanship award. The firm can also provide a workshop to create a communication strategy.

• Farmers Market community table presence, legislative forum didn't happen last year, consider to bring back. Outreach to private daycare org to build awareness, relationship, etc.

• Need to be careful on the theme and purpose of legislative forum, if it goes forward. Did have opportunity to meet regionally last year with local representatives and other districts, on the budget, if that happens again, will let folks here know to participate

• Meetings second Monday of the month, Jan 8, 2024. Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes via roll call 3-0 That's all for tonight catch you next time!
  

Franklin Public Schools: Community Relations Subcommittee - Dec 11 at 6 PM

Another DePaolo family member continues Project PJ

"Hello everyone!  

My name is Ryan DePaolo and my family and I are continuing Project PJ this year! We have been running this organization since 2014 and are so excited to be doing it again!  

Project PJ is a community service project that aims to raise awareness for children placed in foster care through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.  

We are asking people to donate NEW pajamas for children of all ages, infant to age 18. If you have any questions you can email us at project.pj.ma@gmail.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram @projectpj.ma for updates and information about the project!  

You can drop in person donations off to my house at 48 High Ridge Circle, we have a donation bin on our side steps, and I have attached a QR code with links to online registries at Amazon and Target if that is easier.  

Thank you all for your consideration and constant support of this project!  

Happy holidays!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3562135244056476/?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Another DePaolo family member continues Project PJ

Have you registered for the Turkey Trot? This fun family & community event helps the Food Pantry (audio)

FM #1100 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1100 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Erin Campbell, Franklin Turkey Trot organizer and with Jen Johnson, Franklin Food Pantry Major Gift Coordinator. We had our conversation in the new location of the Franklin Food Pantry at Edwin’s. 

We talk about the Turkey Trot coming up on Thanksgiving morning. 

We talk about how the race has evolved, sponsorship opportunities, the community event itself, and free raffle prizes in addition to awards by race age category & more.

Disclosure: during the conversation you will hear that I am happy to be a sponsor of this event, and that the recording is separately part of my overall public service effort for Franklin.News/Franklin Public Radio.

The recording runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Erin and Jen.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1100-franklin-turkey-trot-11-15-23

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Turkey Trot webpage (register online through Tuesday, and in person Wednesday night (7 - 9 PM) or Thursday morning (from 6:30 AM to race time)) http://franklinturkeytrot.org/ 

Food Pantry audio series

• June 2023 - grand opening audio https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/franklin-food-pantry-celebrates-grand.html

• August 2023 - Exec Dir Tina Powderly - campaign kick off https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-food-pantry-launches-building.html 

• August 2023 - campaign #2 - Anne McGillis & Yianna Zicherman https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation.html 

• August 2023 - campaign #3 - Suzanne Gendreau & Donna O’Neill https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation_01022713506.html 

• September 2023 - campaign #4 - Laura Du & Amber Baur https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/this-franklin-food-pantry-conversation.html 

"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."

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

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

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"

Have you registered for the Turkey Trot? This fun family & community event helps the Food Pantry (audio)