Yes, there can be important conversations between the generations

"Voices of Franklin! The first of many to come...

Held by Franklin Rotary Club, Franklin Senior Center, the Franklin Recreational Department, and Franklin Interact Club!"

About a dozen seniors and about 15 high school students gathers for a few games, some lunch (and conversation) then, the center piece discussion of the day.

A defining statement was provided, participants would raise the red card or green card if they disagree (red) or agreed (green) with the statement. Moderator Ryan Jette would then follow up with some of the individuals who raised red or green and the conversation ensued.

The next session is scheduled for November 19, a school half-day.

There will be more to come about this event and the next scheduled session.

You can listen to the recording with Syed Azhar in advance of this session. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/franklin-interact-coordinating-with.html

Wednesday's session was recorded by Franklin TV/ Franklin Public Radio and will be made available here.

You can view more photos from the session - https://www.instagram.com/p/DcOYzXpnOtA/

You can listen to the poetry & conversation from the Favorite Poem Reading 04//18/26 (audio)

FM #1741 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1741 in the series. 

This session shares the Favorite Poem Reading facilitated by Steve Sherlock at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, April 18, 2026. April is National Poetry Month and this ‘poetry and conversation” was a good way to celebrate poetry.

The consensus of the group was to do this more frequently rather than wait until next April rolls around. Stay tuned. The next one may be in August or September.

The list of the readers and poems or poets read is found in the show notes

The recording runs about 50 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1741-favorite-poem-reading-04-18-26/

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Marc Cohen read one by Robert Frost “To Earthward”

To Earthward by Robert Frost - Poems | Academy of American Poets https://share.google/vLq8c8OjHGob31lmx

 

Stephen Karunakaran read a few short selections from “THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural” in Tamil and English  https://thomaspruiksma.com/books/tiruvalluvars-tirukkural/ 

Faith Flaherty talked about and read a couple of versions of  “How can I keep from singing”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Can_I_Keep_from_Singing%3F 

Ken Ojukwu read a version of “The Man in the Glass”

https://allpoetry.com/The-Man-in-the-Glass 

Steve Sherlock read (and provided a sample taste of watermelon pickle)

“Reflections on a gift of watermelon pickle received from a friend called Felicity”

https://oklahoma.agclassroom.org/resources/food/songs/reflections/ 

Jayson Joyce read Wendell Berry’s “The Peace of Wild Things”

https://onbeing.org/poetry/the-peace-of-wild-things/ 

Faith also read Shel Silverstein “I can not go to school today”

https://poets.org/poem/sick

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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. 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"

Join this year's Jane's Walk for conversation and reflection with neighbors! - May 2 at 10 AM

Join Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) for Franklin on Saturday, May 2nd for our fourth annual walking discussion of downtown Franklin! The event is part of an international series in memory of social activist and placemaker Jane Jacobs.

Join this year's Jane's Walk for conversation and reflection with neighbors! - May 2

The ~1.5 hour tour will begin at 10:30 AM from the Franklin TV studio (43 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA). Parking available.

map of the walk, heading clockwise

All are welcome, including pets and wheels!

Join us for refreshments and continued discussion after the walk!

This year, we will be joined by regional planning professionals from Congress for a New Urbanism (CNU) New England!

More info at ben4franklin.org/janes-walk-2026

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered: Weds, March 18, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

 What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

                How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, volunteer Community Information Director for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center  and via Zoom

Note: we are scheduled to be joined remotely by a School Committee member for this session

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Nh8RxkMtG1J1DGwj9

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered:
Weds, March 18, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

An Invitation to a Conversation with Ali Coakley, Proprietor of Night Owl Farm

regenerative agriculture techniques

The First Universalist Society in Franklin’s Food Justice Team invites you to join us and Ali Coakley for a conversation about how she uses regenerative agriculture techniques at Night Owl Farm and their application for the home gardener.  

Lunch will be provided. 

Conversation starts at 12:00 PM.  

Please also bring seeds you would like to donate to a Seed Swap and feel free to take some home.  For additional information on how to donate to the Seed Swap, please contact Marian Szymanski at marianszymanski@verizon.net  

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Our Minister is Reverend Beverly Waring. For more information about FUSF please visit our website at Fusf.org. You can also contact us at info@fusf.org or by calling 508-528-5348.  

Conversational Spanish for Adults - registration open, classes begin March 5

Conversational Spanish for Adults - registration open, classes begin March 5

 Is a trip in your future or would you simply like to learn a new language? 

Sign up for Lifelong Community Learning's Conversational Spanish for Adults class to learn the basics. 

Go to bit.ly/42bdltX for details.

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered: Weds, Feb 18, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

                How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, volunteer Community Information Director for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

When: Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center  and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Nh8RxkMtG1J1DGwj9

https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/2026/02/school-vacation-brings-light-meeting.html

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 ???

Wednesday, January 21

Curbside pickup delayed one day

• If scheduled for Tuesday, picked up today
• If scheduled for Wednesday, picked up Thursday

9:00am ECDC New Student Open House

11:00am Franklin Q&A Conversation (Franklin Senior Center)

1:00pm ECDC New Student Open House

1:00pm Where's the Toast? Memory Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

6:30pm Queer Book Club (Franklin TV and Radio)

Library & Senior Center events

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

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 21 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01212026-2101 

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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

Conversational Spanish for Adults - March 13

Starts Thu. 3/13. Details inside...

Is a trip in your future or would you simply like to learn a new language? Sign up for Lifelong Community Learning's Conversational Spanish for Adults class to learn the basics. For information and to register, visit: Community Learning Lifestyle & Culture

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street Room 137 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

You're Invited to the Community Conversation on the role of arts in supporting health & well being

The Town of Franklin is excited to welcome Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Emily Devlin, LICSW, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Clinical Innovation at Art Pharmacy, for a Community Conversation on how the arts can play a vital role in supporting health and well-being in Franklin.

With funding from the Town opioid settlement funds, Franklin is launching Art Pharmacy—a nationally recognized program that connects individuals to arts and cultural engagements as a tool for healing, social connection, and overall wellness. The Town is rpiloting a program in Franklin specifically for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support.

You're Invited to the Community Conversation on the role of arts in supporting health & well being

We are seeking partners from across Franklin’s arts, culture, and social services sectors to help bring these programs to life. Whether you’re part of a cultural organization, a wellness or mental health provider, a social services agency, or a business focused on community well-being, this is an opportunity to collaborate and make a difference.

Wednesday, March 5 12 - 2 PM; At the Blackbox Theater, 15 W Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038

Join us to learn more about:

• How Art Pharmacy programs will positively impact Franklin
• Opportunities for local arts & culture organizations, social service providers, and community-focused businesses to become program partners
• The role of arts and culture in strengthening mental health, wellness, and social connection

Click here to RSVP to the conversation.

This community conversation is free and open to the public. Parking available onsite. For accessibility needs, please reach out to Cory Shea.

Join Us for Poetry & Conversation - Saturday, Nov 9 at 10 AM

“Poetry is not a luxury; it is a vital necessity of our existence and a weapon of resistance for all who seek to be heard.” Audre Lorde

Join Us for Poetry & Conversation - Saturday, Nov 9 at 10 AM

Since life provides us with constant challenges, we invite you to gather for some poetry and conversation.  This poetry and conversation session is a safe space for our community to express and explore the reactions and emotions you (we) are experiencing. Bring along a poem that resonates with you—whether it's something you've written or a cherished piece from a poet you admire. Or just bring yourself … Likely the first of a series of sessions, so if you don’t make this one, maybe you can join us next time.

Franklin Public Library

November 9, 2024

10 AM - noon

As Audre Lorde said, “The very first thing that you need to do is to make a place for your own voice. You have to learn to make the words come out of your own mouth, to speak and to sing your own songs. You have to be able to name the world.”

Let’s uplift each other through the power of poetry. Together, we will read, share, and listen, finding comfort and connection in the words of others. Words matter, now more than ever.

Who is “us”?  Camille Bernstein & Steve Sherlock will host this event.

Questions? Email Camille camillenapierbernstein@gmail.com

Spanish Conversation Meet-up group schedules session for Franklin Public Library on Aug 7

"This group is for intermediate through advanced speakers who want to enjoy social conversation ENTIRELY IN SPANISH. For those learning Spanish, this is the best way to sharpen your conversation skills.  

Conversations focus on fun and familiar topics. We welcome native speakers, and ask them to speak at a moderate pace during meetups, so that everyone can understand most or all of what is said. 

This is not a beginner's group. We do not stop conversation to translate into English. This is also not a political group. While we may touch on a variety of topics, we avoid highly-charged discussions about upcoming elections and individual politicians. 

Everyone is welcome and conversation is always friendly! We listen to everyone respectfully, and we don't worry about grammatical mistakes.  

Come join us!"

Where: Franklin Public Library

When: Wednesday, Aug 7 at 6:30 PM

You can find out more about our group at meetup.com/franklin-spanish-conversation-meetup/

Spanish Conversation Meet-up group schedules session for Franklin Public Library on Aug 7

One Franklin: Community Coffee Conversations at Birchwood Bakery from 7 to 9 PM today

"Beginning Feb 22, then continuing every other Thursday 7-9 PM. One or more members of One Franklin will be at Franklin’s Birchwood Bakery to connect, discuss the latest developments around an override proposal and to just have good conversations at a great spot in town.

All are welcome to come by and say hi ultimately we are all working together for the same outcome… One Franklin, where everyone benefits from our united effort to nurture and value our community."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/5MciuUTumq8sx5dU/?mibextid=Nif5oz

One Franklin: Community Coffee Conversations at Birchwood Bakery from 7 to 9 PM today

Community Coffee Conversations: One Franklin

"Beginning Feb 22, then continuing every other Thursday 7 to 9 PM. One or more members of One Franklin will be at Franklin’s Birchwood Bakery to connect, discuss the latest developments around an override proposal and to just have good conversations at a great spot in town.

All are welcome to come by and say hi ultimately we are all working together for the same outcome… One Franklin, where everyone benefits from our united effort to nurture and value our community. "

Next conversation, Thursday Feb 22 

For more information about One Franklin -> https://onefranklinma.com/ 

Community Coffee Conversations: One Franklin

Franklin Cultural District: Veterans wreath ceremony, Coffee & Conversation, CD release party among the list as #artshappenhere

Thursday, January 25
2:30pm GARTA public hearing (Franklin Senior Center)
6pm Open Mic Night @67 Degrees Brewing

Wreath Ceremony

Friday, January 26
9:00am Wreath Ceremony (Franklin Veterans Walkway on the Town Common)
3:00pm Coffee & Conversation with President Elmore (Franklin Public Library)
6:30pm An Evening with Spirit with Psychic Medium Cathy Ripley Greene

Live Music and CD Release by Second Son Band 

Saturday, January 27
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm Live Music and CD Release by Second Son Band (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

Sunday, January 28
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

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 Cultural District: Arts are happening here!