School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)

FM #1629 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1629 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, January 12, 2026. The meeting was conducted via remote only. 

Al Charles (Chair), and members Stephen Karunakaran and Nadia Mausolf participated. Operations Director Colin Boisvert also participated, representing the Central Office. 

• Discussion around Mission Statement / 2026 Goals

• Potential 2026 Engagements & Activity Brainstorming

• Discussion around newsletter planning

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of January 12, 2026.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1629-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-01-12-26/

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School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

Subcommittee agenda

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 

Unable to locate my notes for this session (odd, and a first)

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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/

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"

We get an inside view on all the special events for January 2026 at the Franklin Senior Center (audio)

FM #1615 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1615 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Jillian Rochat from the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• All the key event highlights for January 2026

• Key teasers for February

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. 

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1615-senior-center-jan-2026-highlights-12-17-25/

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Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging 

Franklin Senior Center

January 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7918/January-2026-Newsletter?bidId= 

The newsletter archive page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/585/Connection-Newsletter 

Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false 

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

 

My Active Center -> https://myactivecenter.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.

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 it!

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

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

BFCCPS Technology/STEAM Night scheduled for Jan 14, 2025

BFCCPS Technology/STEAM
Night scheduled for Jan 14, 2025

TECHNOLOGY/STEAM NIGHT

Come for a night of technology and building fun on Wednesday, January 14th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.

There will be multiple stations for children to participate in. Stations include: Ozobots, Magnetic Minecraft, Quiver, Pixel Art, Sticker Station, Snap Circuits, Magnatiles, Keva Blocks, and STEAM Build Instant Challenge: Machine to the Moon. The Quiver App is a way to make drawings interactive. Ozobot Bits are robots that respond to coloring a map for it to follow.

This event is for grades K-8. Families can enter through the commons directly and are to accompany their child station to station.

This event is free! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Af9CdfrzK/

Franklin Fathers up and coming events

**Franklin Fathers – What’s Coming Up!** 

We’ve got some great ways to kick off the new year with the kids and connect with other dads in the community. Mark your calendars 

 **December 30 – Dads & Donuts**

 8:30–10:30 AM |  Downtown Sports

Franklin Fathers

Coffee for the dads, donuts for everyone, and plenty of space for the kids to burn off energy. Come hang out, meet other Franklin Fathers, and start the morning on a high note.

**January 16 – Daddy–Daughter Hair School**

 3:30 PM |  Franklin Library

Brushes, braids, bows—and definitely a lot of laughs. More details coming soon, but save the date for this special dad-and-daughter event.

 **Run Club – Every Sunday**

 8:00 AM

All paces welcome. Start your week with a good run, good people, and a very solid excuse to enjoy extra donuts afterward.

 **Not on our mailing list?**

Want to stay in the loop but not getting our emails yet? Send us a note at franklinfathersma@gmail.com and we’ll get you added.

As always, all dads are welcome—hope to see you there!

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/61580257836187/posts/pfbid0Qot6VCFLwXpA73gHbMGzSFzxRLFCrQHendsHqB8dHGR9jTQXgNsqcmVooEQgDsJEl/

Franklin Public Library: A preview of the top events for January 2026

New Service

Can't make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door. Home Delivery Service ensures that Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations can continue to benefit from library resources. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron's home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For more information, please visit the library website.

 

Special Events for Kids
K-Pop Demon Hunters Party, Friday, January 2 @ 10:30am
Calling all Demon Hunters! Join us for an epic celebration of everyone's favorite movie, with music, crafts, games, and a few surprises!

Rainforest Reptiles! Saturday, January 3 @ 10:30am
Travel with us to the different rainforests around the world and meet the critters, turtles, snakes and more that call these places home! Real, LIVE Animal Fun for All Ages!

Stuffed Animal Village, Saturday, January 10 @ 10:30am
Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a special day trip to our stuffed animal village! Visit the bakery, post office, gym, library, doctors, and more.

Hairstyling Workshop for Grown-Ups & Kiddos! Friday, January 16 @ 3:30pm
Join us for a special hairstyling workshop, perfect for learning something new in the New Year! Learn a few special styles and leave with a kit to continue building your skills at home.

Ben Franklin Birthday Bash, Saturday, January 17 @ 2pm
Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Ben Franklin himself! Music, games, and more.

Vision Board Making, Wednesday, January 21 @ 1pm
Families- set your intentions for 2026! Join us as we get crafty, creating vision boards AND setting our reading resolutions.

Tape Town! Saturday, January 24 @ 10:30am
Spend an imaginative afternoon at the library! Bring along a small toy vehicle (or borrow one of ours) and cruise along our "roads" made of tape all through our program room, and enjoy a series of interactive pretend play stations all through the town.

Special Events for Adults
The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution, Saturday, January 10 @ 4:00pm
As part of the town's annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution. Kirkus Reviews said: "Historian Chaplin focuses on Benjamin Franklin's multiple renditions of an innovative stove to examine the intersection of scientific inquiry, race, class, politics, and economics at a time of climate change and resource depletion―a period, she underscores, not unlike our own."

Go/No Go? Launching your Business w/ Mentors from SCORE, Thursday, January 22 @ 6:30pm
Registration Requested
Hey there, future small business owner! This one hour guided conversation will introduce you to the tools you need to confidently decide if your idea for a new business is ready to launch. Get your questions answered, avoid mistakes, and find FREE mentorship with SCORE.

Special Events for All Ages
Live Reading of the Franklin Biography, Thursday, January 15 @ 9:30am-7:30pm

Franklin Public Library: A preview of
the top events for January 2026 

A tradition returns home! Join us for a live reading of Ben Franklin's Autobiography at the Franklin Public Library. Everyone is welcome to read, listen, and comment on the life of our favorite Founding Father.

Franklin as Composer w/ Metro-west Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, January 17 @ 11am
Benjamin Franklin: statesman, entrepreneur, scientist… composer?! Yes, our beloved Ben even dabbled in composing his own music. Join us to explore this aspect of our namesake with the help of the Metro-West Symphony Orchestra.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, January 16: 1 - 5pm
Saturday, January 17: 9am - 12pm
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag
Saturday, January 17: 1 - 4pm
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

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/

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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"

George Swartz talks about the events at Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions (audio)

FM #1595 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1595 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with George Swartz on Thursday, November 20, 2025 in the Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions store. 

We talk about

• George’s road to this role

• Wine tasting events, usually 6-8 tables, 6 wines each to sample before purchase (or not)

• Floral arrangements, book club, and yoga are some events paired with wine testing

• Pop up events bringing local crafts as well as cheese & prepared foods, charcuterie boards, etc.

The recording runs 32 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1595-pour-richards-events-with-a-twist-11-20-25/

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Web page -> https://pourrichardswine.com/ 

On Facebook at -> https://www.facebook.com/pourrichardswine 

On Instagram at -> https://www.instagram.com/pourrichardswinema/ 

George Swartz talks about the events at Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions (audio)

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

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"