Halloween Cemetery Tour – with Dean College Professor Rob Lawson -Thursday, October 30

Halloween Cemetery Tour – with Dean College
Professor Rob Lawson -Thursday, October 30

Join local historian Dr. R. A. Lawson for an annual Franklin tradition—the Halloween Cemetery Tour. Weaving the history of gravestone symbolism with local and broader New England history, Dr. Lawson brings to life the stories of our predecessors with tales of tragic death, love lost, murder, and even treason! Who needs spooky ghost stories when the real history is truly sensational? 

All are welcome. There is no cost though donations to the Franklin Historical Commission are encouraged and gratuities are accepted. 

Meet at the cemetery at 5 PM.

Franklin Lions 2025 Halloween decorating map and award winners

Thank you to everyone who entered the 6th Annual Halloween House Decorating Contest! All of the displays were amazing and such a joy to observe. 👻

Thank you to all of our judges as this was not an easy task! Score sheets are in, calculated, and we have the winners!

I will announce the top displays here. First, second, and a tie for third place winners will receive an email outlining the award presentation.  Top winners will receive a yard sign to display with pride and a declaration from State Representative Jeffrey Roy! 🏆

1. 🥇404 Martello Rd: Raven's Hallow Cemetery and The Poison Garden

2. 🥈35 Meadowlark Lane: Pumpkin Patch of the Dead

3. 🥉11 Walnut Ave: The Clown Carnival

3. 🥉2 Overlook Dr.: The Haunted Eras

If you haven’t done so already, please go out and see all of the creative and fun displays the Franklin Community has to offer!

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

Franklin Lions 2025 Halloween decorating map and award winners

FPS Police Station Halloween Event not happening this year

FPS Police Station Halloween Event not happening this year

FPD HALLOWEEN PARTY

We’ve received several inquiries regarding our annual Halloween Party at the station. Unfortunately, this will be the first time in over two decades that we will not be able to host this party.

Following the results of the proposition 2.5% override the Franklin Police Department lost $250,000 out of our operational budget. This resulted in the elimination of 2 full-time patrol officer positions. With the two openings, two officers from the Community Service Unit/School Resource Officers were reassigned to the patrol division to fill the open vacancies and low staffing. The Community Service Unit was responsible for coordinating this large yearly party. With the reduced CSU staffing, events like this are simply not possible due to staffing restrictions. CSU Officers serve as School Resource Officers and their primary responsibilities are with the Franklin Public Schools. We hope that if staffing levels increase we will be able to throw this party and other community events again.

If you are looking for some festive Halloween activities this weekend. Make sure to check out the Franklin Lions Trunk or Treat this Saturday 4 PM - 6 PM at the Franklin High School.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/17as4UP4Vy/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, October 2, 2025 ??

Thursday, October 2

Library & Senior Center events

4:00pm Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:30pm LGBTQ Alliance Halloween Party (Franklin TV Studio)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (FUSF)

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   **

Franklin Commission of Disability

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022025-1931 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/506?fileID=6550 

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What's happening in Franklin, MA

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

Join the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance for their Halloween Party October 2 at 6:30 PM

This newsletter was edited for publication here. To view the complete set of content ->  

View this email in your browser

We are meeting at Franklin TV

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved.   Want more information or need to contact us? Visit our website here! You Are Invited To Our October Monthly Meeting and Halloween Party!   When: October 2nd  at 6:30 PM   Where: Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson St in Franklin   What: Join us to munch on some candy and watch the Addams Family movie! You are welcome to come in costume or not :) Want to donate to the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance?  Click HERE to find our Givebutter! If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails with this form.  This newsletter was edited for publication here. To view the complete set of content ->   View this email in your browser

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.

Franklin Lions coordinating to take your extra Halloween candy again this year

any of the schools or Honey Dew Donuts

via the Franklin Lions Club:

"We hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! As always, we are collecting candy for the troops. 

Starting today you can donate your candy at any of the schools in Franklin or at the Honey Dew Donuts. 

We will be picking up our donations between November 8th and November 12th but you can start donating now! 

Please message us with any questions and once again, thank you for your support. "

Email josanford47@aol.com

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/181nRPgS12/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, October 26, 2024 ???

Saturday, October 26

7 – 7:30am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

9am – 1pm Early Voting (Town Clerk's Office, 355 E Central St)

9am – 1pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10am – 4pm 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch (St John's Episcopal Church) 

10am – 2pm Touch a Truck (Franklin Department of Public Works)

10am – 1pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2 – 5pm Halloween Party (Franklin Police Department) 

6 – 7:30pm Cinema 80: Nosferatu (Franklin Historical Museum)

7 – 9pm "The Belle of Amherst" (First Universalist Society Franklin) 

7:30 – 10pm FPAC: The School of Rock (THE BLACK BOX) 

8 – 11pm Karaoke (Raillery Public House)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, 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:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

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

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Halloween decoration winners announced

The Franklin Lions Club announce decoration winners:

"Thank you to everyone who entered the 5th Annual Halloween House Decorating Contest! All of the displays were amazing and such a joy to observe.

Thank you to all of our judges as this was not an easy task! Score sheets are in, calculated, and we have the winners! 

I will announce the top 10 displays here. First, second, and third place winners will receive an email outlining the award presentation. 

Top 3 winners will receive a yard sign to display with pride and a declaration from State Representative Jeffrey Roy!

1.. 404 Martello Rd: Raven's Hallow Cemetery and The Poison Garden

2.. 2 Overlook Drive: Bruce Wonka’s Haunted Candyland

3.. 35 Meadowlark Lane: Pumpkin Patch of the Dead

4. 65 Summer Street: REDЯUM MANOR

5. 6 Hayden lane: Rumble in the graveyard

6. 65 Pond St: Everything scary

7. 3 Ashbury Drive: Haunted House at 3 Ashboo-ry Drive

8. 674 Pleasant Street: Jimmy “bones” Buffett Tribute

9. 787 Lincoln St: Disney’s Haunted Mansion

10. 6 Anchorage Road: Graveyard Playground

Community Vote: Thank you to everyone who saw each display and voted for your favorite. This years’ Community winner is: 35 Meadowlark Lane: Pumpkin Patch of the Dead 

If you haven’t already, please go out and see all of the creative and fun displays the Franklin Community has to offer!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kVPZhQna8q2owCqq/

Halloween and History cemetery tour comes around again Oct 31 with Rob Lawson

Via Dean College's Rob Lawson:

I want to bring to your attention an annual event I do — the Halloween and History cemetery tour. 

I’ve been doing this for over a decade and it’s always a good time. Attendees learn about meaning of tombstone icons and the materials used in gravestone-making, the stories of famous Franklinites and the founders of Dean College, and this year I’ll be working in new material about the origins of Halloween-type celebrations in Massachusetts as well as a story of a Franklinite who met a grisly end in Quebec in the years after the Revolution. 

Also this year I’ll be encouraging guests to consider donating to the Franklin Historical Museum gift fund. 

Admission/participation is free but gratuities are accepted.

Halloween and History cemetery tour comes around again Oct 31 with Rob Lawson

The Franklin MA Lions Club shares the 2024 Halloween house decorating contest Community Map

The Franklin Lions Club shares: 

"The 2024 Halloween house decorating contest Community Map is here! 

The Franklin MA Lions Club

All of the entries have been compiled into a Google map complete with the display name and address. 

Click here to open the map -> https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1FHbsUZhmtL_D19wNXBbVPzx5PQ6Kzsw&ll=42.10077812533128%2C-71.40827025&z=13"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iJzQDn1euMrpGK5S/

2 sessions (K-5) & (6-8) scheduled for holiday craft by Lifelong Learning - Oct 22

holiday craft by Lifelong Learning - Oct 22

Lifelong Learning (@FPSLearning) posted:

"In this one-day class, kids will make and decorate their own wooden haunted house, plus take home a bonus gift!   

Details at https://t.co/sI1mc1zyjf."

#fpslifelong #fpslifelongcommunity 

Shared from -> https://t.co/w07VFV7EuF

Franklin Police Halloween Party - Oct 26 from 2 to 5 PM

Franklin Police Halloween Party

Franklin Police Halloween Party

The Franklin Police Department invites you to this years Halloween Party! Enjoy an afternoon of games, treats, and the "Halls of Justice" Haunted House!

The party will take place on October 26, 2024 from 2:00PM - 5:00PM at 911 Panther Way in Franklin, MA.

See you there!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-police-halloween-party

Spooky Games "The Monster Mash" scheduled for Oct 18 at the YMCA

Spooky Games "The Monster Mash" 

 

"Spooky Games - Open to the Community, Costumes are welcomed and encouraged! Oct 18th, 6:30-8pm. 

The theme for the night is “Monster Mash!” No registration required."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DA0Z3KBtI78/

4TH Annual Feet In Motion Family Halloween Dance Party scheduled for Oct 27

4TH Annual  Family Halloween Dance Party 

"Save the Date -> Sunday, October 27, 1-5 P.M 

For the 4TH Annual Feet In Motion Family Halloween Dance Party 

Lots of Fun Including Dance Demos, TRUNK n TREAT, Games, Prizes & More! 

Be on the lookout for the Trunk or Treat Sign up Link"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/7JsuNy1t3FdaYxnz/

5th Annual HALLOWEEN House Decorating Contest is around the corner

Annual HALLOWEEN House Decorating Contest

A Frightfully Fun Time is Coming to Franklin! Registration opens September 21, 2024.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook @Franklin MA Lions Club!

5th Annual HALLOWEEN House Decorating Contest is around the corner

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/UDGoCWiAVBfWSfWw/

Trick or treat awareness, please walk safely, please drive safely today (everyday, but especially today!!)

via MassDOT: 

"Trick-or-treating is all about fun, but safety should always come first!

Drivers, be extra cautious, #slowdown, watch for ghouls and goblins, and don't drink & drive!

Trick-or-treaters, always use a crosswalk to cross & stay on the sidewalks if available!"

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

Trick or treat awareness, please walk safely, please drive safely today (everyday, but especially today!!)