Ariel previews the August activity highlights for the Senior Center (audio)

FM #1481 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1481 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Ariel Doggett, Programming & Volunteer Coordinator of the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• All the key event highlights for August

• Possible Great Gatsby themed future event(s)

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 40 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1481-franklin-senior-ctr-august-2025-highlights-07-16-25/

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

August 2025 newsletter -> Link to be added when available

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/ 

The Great Gatsby was published in April 1925. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby 

The rewrite as a whodunit is Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56922665-beautiful-little-fools 

Ariel previews the August activity highlights for the Senior Center (audio)

  

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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 it!

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Franklin Food Pantry Celebrates National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month, a special time to recognize the invaluable contributions of volunteers. The Franklin Food Pantry kicked off this important month by hosting its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, which celebrates the incredible impact volunteers have on the organization and the Franklin community. 

 

The luncheon held on April 3, 2025, was made possible by G&C Plumbing and Heating who sponsored the event, and New England Chapel who provided the space. Elizabeth’s Bagels, The Rome Restaurant, Starbucks on E Central St., Twist Bakery & Cafe, and volunteer bakers provided food, paper goods, desserts, and more. Paul Vicario Studio beautifully captured the event through photography.

Each week, more than 120 individuals volunteer their time at the Franklin Food Pantry making it possible to deliver essential food assistance and service programs to over 850 households in Franklin. Their efforts support vital initiatives such as in-person and walk-in shopping, curbside pickup, mobile pantries at three Franklin locations, Kids’ Snack Bags, the Weekend Backpack Program, holiday meal packages, the Community Gardens Program, and many more. In 2024 alone, Franklin Food Pantry volunteers collectively contributed over 12,000 hours of their time and talent.

Distinguished guests who attended to show their appreciation included Massachusetts State Senator Becca Rausch, State Representative Jeff Roy, Franklin Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, Superintendent of Franklin Public Schools Lucas Giguere, and Director of Franklin Senior Center Sarah Amaral.  

Senator Becca Rausch addressed the volunteers, stating, “Your work is irreplaceable. Volunteers keep The Pantry’s warehouse full, the shelves stocked, and the operation running smoothly. You pack the backpacks, load the mobile pantry, and assist shoppers. Every hour you spend is a labor of love. And there is so much love supporting this organization and uplifting the people it serves.”

State Representative Jeff Roy presented the 2024 President’s Volunteer Service Award to 39 exceptional volunteers whose service has significantly impacted the Franklin community and serves as an inspiration to others. 

 

The Gold Award, recognizing over 500 volunteer hours in the past year, was presented to Amber Baur. The Silver Award, for 250 to 499 volunteer hours, was awarded to David Bascom, Vicki Coates, Diane Daddario, Suzanne Gendreau, and Kym Pruitt. 

 

The Bronze Award, for 100 to 249 volunteer hours, was presented to Dominic Agostino, Jim Barton, Colleen Bond, Teresa Burr, Erika Cummings, Dave Custer, Mary Anne Dean, Kim DeCrescenzo, Robert Doyle, Rachel Flum, Kathy Ginley, Angela Draper, Karen Giuliano, Richard Guiliano, Oona Harrington, Jonathan Haddad, Jeanne Hummel, Martin Kaufman, Jen Kuse, Kathy Lesica, Christine Lovell, Carol Malachowski, Ann Maloney, Felecia McKenney, Gary Nassoiy, Donna O’Neill, Joseph O'Koren, C. Lynn Rizzolo, Maureen Sabolinski, Nancy Schoen, Pamela Spicer, Debra Stiffler, and Lawrence Verney.

“We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary contributions of our volunteer team,” said Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry. "Every hour they give, always with a smile, has a profound impact on our client. They are the driving force behind our ability to offer a diverse array of essential programs with dignity, and we are deeply grateful."

The Franklin Food Pantry will continue to celebrate the volunteers throughout April including special social media posts thanking volunteers and highlighting the important role they play at The Pantry.

For more information on the Franklin Food Pantry, or receiving food assistance, please visit the Franklin Food Pantry website at www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referrals to more than 1,800 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs.

Programs include In-person Shopping, Curbside Pick-up, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meals, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Additional photos courtesy by Paul Vicario can be found  https://drive.google.com/file/d/10UOhEl1q-1RFpORzZ99XeUSSWFOfUbkA/view?usp=drive_link

Top Row (L to R): Franklin Deputy Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, State Representative Jeff Roy; Bottom Row (L to R): Franklin Food Pantry Board Chair, Amber Baur, Senator Becca Rausch, Pantry Volunteer Bob Doyle, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

Interactive Seafood Event at Parmenter Elementary!

From Evan Chelman, Parmenter Principal

 

"Today, Parmenter Elementary students had the amazing opportunity to explore the wonders of our local waters through an interactive seafood event! 

Students got to meet, touch, and learn about different types of fish and shellfish that swim right in our local waters.  

The event was a perfect complement to our district-wide lunch menu, featuring freshly baked, locally sourced fish! A huge thank you to Red’s Best and fisherman Gus Sanflippo, who caught the fish just two days ago aboard his vessel, the Lily Jean, in Gloucester, MA.  

Special thanks to Aaron Lenart, RD, Assistant Food Service Director, for educating our students and making this event both fun and educational!  This event helped connect students with the source of their food and teach them about sustainability in our local waters."

I was invited to observe and report on this event. The kids had a variety of responses to the seafood and very appreciative of the experience.

Additional photos can be found -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/gmpes/live-feed#8679990

Lunch: Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Roasted Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Carrots

https://youtube.com/shorts/SRwB08bsGgU

To watch the video on how it was made click: https://youtube.com/shorts/SRwB08bsGgU

Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Roasted Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Carrots!

We used the top round cut to make our scratch made Beef Ramen Bar for lunch today!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/19zNQPgdDh/

Franklin High School lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

FHS lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

To watch the video on how it was made click: https://youtube.com/shorts/mSBJpYmXV0k?feature=share 

Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Bok Choy and Fried Rice !  

We used the top round cut to make our scratch made - 17 hour - Beef and Broccoli for lunch today!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/14sKCKtGVf/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Get lunch at the next Rainbow Cafe, Tuesday, July 30 at the Senior Center

Hello All,

I am excited to share with you that at our next Rainbow Cafe on Tuesday, July 30th at 2:30 we will be serving lunch thanks to a generous grant obtained by our partner Rainbow Cafe in Bellingham!  

In addition Julie Nowak will be joining us to play some engaging games.  

WOW...food, games and GREAT people!  Who could ask for anything more!?  

Please feel free to share this invite to anyone who might be interested in joining us.  I look forward to seeing you all next week.

Ariel

Get lunch at the next Rainbow Cafe, Tuesday, July 30 at the Senior Center

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Ariel Doggett

Programming / Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 508-520-4945

Fax: 508-520-4917

https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

    

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

School Committee recognizes FHS Cheerleaders, hears of food services, Lifelong Learning, and snow preparations (video)

The Franklin School Committee met for the last time in this calendar year on Tuesday, Dec 12. The meeting featured a variety of information updates and recognition of the FHS Cheerleaders who repeated as State Champions.

Quick Recap:

• Cheerleaders recognized as State Champions (again). Proposal in the process of coming to authorize a trip to the National Championships (details TBD)
• Colin Boisvert, Food Services Director, provided an update on the operation and delivery of the school lunch program and gradual expansion of breakfast. Also highlighted was the use of local food sources and providing healthy options including fish
• Patricia Gay, Lifelong Learning Director, provided an update on the programs offered through the year. School Choice (before & after school programs), Community Learning (a variety of workshops, classes and exercise programs), Music Academy (year round music education and tutoring), and the Summer programs (including High School Experience). Lifelong Learning is self funded via registrations fees for the programs
• Brutus Cantoreggi, DPW Director, provided and update on the annual snow program and engaged in a extensive Q&A with the Committee to cover as many of the nuances as possible

The agenda for the meeting can be found ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_12-12-23.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVm3PER71UQ

My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YmyqSv0kI2UiuIAplhRBkjz4kiPJ4whc/view?usp=drive_link

While the presentation docs were (mostly) not available before the meeting, my photo captures can share them. The presentations are usually posted a day or so after the meeting.  Meeting packet folder ->    https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/december-12-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Food service  https://photos.app.goo.gl/NNJGoqSyGjjzE9iy8

Lifelong Learning  https://photos.app.goo.gl/owfR3mJXq716u5NR8

DPW Snow update - (from 2021 but generally the same with minor updates) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/snow_pres_for_dpw_council_dec_21.pdf

FHS Cheerleaders recognized as State Champions

Franklin Public School lunch improvements to highlight

Via the Franklin Public School's Facebook page, we share a couple of recent posts to highlight how creative the delivery of school lunch can be within the budget. Delivering healthy, locally sourced, and cost effective meals to students.

"Don't mind us, we're just reminiscing on last week's delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice. Our Food Services team sources beef locally to ensure the highest quality is available to our students. This steak was sourced from MeatWorks out of Westport, MA.

The farms were Twin Willow Farm (Westport, MA), Howard’s Farm (West Bridgewater, MA), and Sunny Knoll Farm (Westminster, MA)"

delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice

"The Food Service team does it again! Yesterday’s lunch at every school featured local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA. The fisherman was Captain Scott MacAllister on his boat, the Carol Marie fishing vessel. Thank you Red’s Best for the great traceability!

You can read more about Captain Macallister in this article: https://capecodfishermen.org/a-young-man-carving-out-a.../"

local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA