Franklin Lions Club Halloween House Contest — It’s Time To Vote! Voting closes Monday, Oct 26

The decorations are up, the spooky spirit is alive, and now it’s YOUR turn to help choose a favorite!

Have you checked out the amazing Halloween displays around Franklin? Now’s your chance to show some love to the house you think deserves the title of Halloween House Contest Favorite!

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE! https://forms.gle/kdEzQkrreuYwj4Sx8

Voting closes Monday, October 26, 2026, at NOON! Don’t wait until the witching hour — make sure your vote counts!

A Friendly Reminder: This is a FREE, fun event for our Franklin community, organized by the Franklin MA Lions Club to bring neighbors together and celebrate the Halloween spirit. Please remember the unwritten rules of fairness, kindness, and good sportsmanship. Let’s keep it fun, positive, and spooky for everyone!

A huge THANK YOU to all the participating families who put their time, creativity, and Halloween magic into making Franklin a little more festive!

Happy voting, Franklin! May the best haunt win!

Volunteers Needed for Winter Decorating in Downtown, November 21

It’s time to spruce up for a new season. Downtown Franklin’s Winter Decorating Day is set for Saturday, November 21st at 9:00 AM. Volunteers are needed to help out for the morning.

Volunteers will meet at 9:00 am at the municipal parking lot near The Rome restaurant. Volunteers help clear out old plants and replace with fresh seasonal greens and decorations from 9 am to 12 noon. Dress for the weather and wear work gloves. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Sauer at ftcosandy@gmail.com or 508-528-2713 ext. 1230, to sign up, or with any questions.

FHS Boys and Girls Hockey teams will be volunteering again. More help is always appreciated from adults and people of all ages in the community. Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is the perfect opportunity to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

The day is organized by Eileen Mason. As Beautification Committee Chair for the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Mason organizes both Winter Decorating and Spring Beautification in downtown and the surrounding area. She is also a Franklin Garden Club member. “We are dedicated to making the downtown area festive during the holiday season,” Mason said. “The decorations make Franklin even more attractive to people who go downtown to enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment.” 

Franklin Downtown Partnership is grateful to their 2026 Beautification sponsors:

• Platinum: D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; G & C Plumbing & Heating; Glen Meadow Apartments; Eileen Mason, REMAX Executive Realty; Sunrise Montessori School, Inc.
• Gold: Dean Bank; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Fenton Financial; Notturno Home Services
• Silver: Friends of Franklin Elders, Inc.; PEEL Microspa

Stay up to date and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/ and  

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 375 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as spring beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

The voice message left from the Franklin Senior Center robocall touting the Winter Wonderland on Thursday, Dec 11 (audio)

FM #1604 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1604 in the series. 

This episode shares the voice message left from the Franklin Senior Center robocall touting the Winter Wonderland on Thursday, Dec 11, 2025. 

“The Franklin Senior Center is hosting our 4th annual Winter Wonderland Community Event!

It's on Thursday, December 11 from 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Come one, come all! The entire community is invited, we hope to see you there! 

This is open to all ages. 

This is a completely free event but be sure to bring a little extra money for the large scale raffle put together by our Friends of Franklin Elders Inc. - FOFE”

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1604-fsc-winter-wonderland-msg-12-11-25/

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The text and links referenced can be found at Franklin Matters https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/you-are-invited-to-winter-wonderland-at.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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FDP Downtown Holiday Decorating is now Sunday, Nov 23 (not Saturday, Nov 22)

FDP Downtown Holiday Decorating is
now Sunday, Nov 23 (not Saturday, Nov 22)

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Holiday Decorating will now be on SUNDAY (not Saturday as previously announced) please share!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRPvK1lDvAf/

Volunteers Needed For Winter Decorating Downtown November 22

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club are getting ready to decorate the downtown for the holidays and winter on Saturday, November 22 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Volunteers are needed to help clean, prep and decorate.  

Volunteers Needed For Winter Decorating
Downtown November 22

Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty and Sandy Sauer of Franklin Tile Carpet One co-chair the FDP Beautification Committee. Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to sign up. 

Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is a great time to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

“We are dedicated to making the downtown area festive during the holiday season,” said Mason, who is also a member of Franklin Garden Club. “The decorations make Franklin even more inviting to residents and visitors who go downtown to enjoy our shops and restaurants.” 

Franklin Downtown Partnership thanks the following sponsors of Winter Decorating Day. 

Platinum: D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eileen Mason-RE/MAX Executive Realty; G & C Plumbing & Heating; Glen; Meadow Apartments-Schochet Companies; Middlesex Savings Bank. Gold: Dean Bank; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Notturno Home Services; PEEL microspa. Silver: Connell Roofing, Inc.; Elizabeth's Bagels; Fenton Financial Group; Friends of the Franklin Elders, Inc.; Oteri Funeral Home; Pisini Shoes; Simon's Furniture; Vet Med Pet Supplies

Stay up to date and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:  https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as spring beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Registration opens for the 6th annual Franklin Community Halloween House Decorating Contest

Community Announcement!

The Franklin MA Lions are excited to announce the 6th annual Franklin Community Halloween House Decorating Contest!

• This contest is free and open to ALL residents of Franklin, MA.
• All applications must be received by 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, Oct 10th.
• All participants will be included in a community map for everyone to enjoy.
• There will be 2 levels of participation; "In It to Win It" and "Sharing is Scaring."

For more information and to register, click here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOZ4kVrCjKZqv5B_F4uwhUGgP7qloz-WAsefFEJdxXcq3HjQ/viewform

Message Franklin MA Lions with any questions! We can’t wait to see all the amazing houses this year.

Holiday Decorations Map compiled by Community Kangaroo

Community Kangaroo has compiled a Holiday Decorations Map for the Greater Boston area.  

Here's a link to what they have so far -- any help is appreciated! It is interactive and updated as more info is gathered.

See the map -> https://communitykangaroo.com/franklin/lights/

Holiday Decorations Map compiled by Community Kangaroo 

Getting Festive in Downtown Franklin - Saturday, Nov 23 at 8:30 AM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club are joining forces to decorate the downtown for the holidays on Saturday, November 23 from 8:30 AM to 11 AM. The FHS Boys and Girls Hockey teams will be on hand to help install wreaths, bows and greenery. 

The effort is organized by Eileen Mason, Franklin Garden Club member and FDP member. Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to let her know you can help.

Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is the perfect opportunity to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

Thank you to the Franklin DPW for their help in cleaning out the containers on the bridges and providing new potting soil.

“We’re a group of volunteers dedicated to making the downtown area festive during the holiday season,” Mason said. “The decorations make Franklin even more inviting to residents and visitors, and help draw people downtown to enjoy our local shops and restaurants.”

Stay up to date and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:

• https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  
• https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Getting Festive in Downtown Franklin - Saturday, Nov 23 at 8:30 AM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as spring beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Both FHS Girls & Boys Panther Hockey Teams help with the downtown decorations on Sunday

FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) posted on Sun, Nov 19, 2023:

"FHS Boys Hockey decorating Downtown Franklin. 

Tis the Season 7 days till tryouts!

@FHSSports @ToFranklinMa @FranklinDowntwn" https://t.co/oNhqjt5u9I

FHS Boys Hockey decorating Downtown Franklin

The FHS Girls hockey team was a great help on Sunday ->

Members of the FHS Girls hockey team

Before photo

downtown decorations on Sunday - before

After photo

downtown decorations on Sunday - after

Additional photos from Eileen Mason ->    https://www.facebook.com/eileen.mason1/posts/pfbid0rNxwPmU9Y64gaNixG5tydbSToDmVT13Jqt56wpp2EHiHZ2m59fxH4WcBExMoiDRzl

Volunteers Needed to help with the Winter Decorating Activities on Saturday, Nov. 18

WINTER DECORATING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are needed for Winter Decorating Day on Sat., Nov. 18 to help install wreaths, bows and greenery.  Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com if you are able to help dress up the downtown for the holidays!

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Register now for this Cupcake Decorating for Adults class - Apr 12

Coming Soon. Register Now

NEW Opportunity Coming Soon Don't Miss Out REGISTER TODAY For more class options & additional details: Click here www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Volunteers needed to help with the Winter Decorating Nov 19 - Maybe that is something you can do?

WINTER DECORATING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Winter Decorating Day has been scheduled for Saturday morning, Nov. 19. Volunteers are needed to help install wreaths, bows and greenery. Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com if you are able to help dress up the downtown for the holidays!

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

If the holiday view at the downtown triangle looks in disarray, it was vandalized

Unfortunately, after many volunteers decorated downtown Franklin on the weekend before Thanksgiving, some folks apparently thought of other things to do with the decorations (aside from leaving them alone!).

A report was filed with the Franklin Police the week of Dec 6, 2021:

• multiple bows on the Rome side bridge were taken

• greens and bows on the train side bridge were pulled out

• one wreath on the train side bridge is missing

• the red candy cane on the sleigh was removed

• gift boxes previously stacked in the sleigh were thrown over the fencing to the tracks below

Franklin Police responded to the report, took photos to add to the report, and will step up patrols.

 

If anyone knows of, or saw the vandal(s) in action, please let Franklin Police know. They can take tips at their tip line -> 508-440-2780.

The red candy cane and gift boxes missing from the sleigh

One wreath and bows missing from the decorations along the railing