Franklin Art Association: Musings from the FAA President

Musings from the President: 

Hello Friends and Members, 

Art doesn’t have to shout to be powerful. 

Choosing to make art is a quiet kind of rebellion. It’s a way of saying I’m still paying attention — to beauty, to feeling and to one another. Every sketch, stroke, movement, or experiment pushes back against the idea that everything must be efficient and profitable. 

Franklin Art Association: Musings from the FAA President

At the Franklin Art Association, we believe art is both a joy and a civic act. It builds connection, invites curiosity, and reminds us that imagination is a renewable resource. 

Making something, anything, together is how we practice hope. 

So keep creating. 

With gratitude and optimism, 

Nicole Horsman 

Franklin Art Association

To review a full copy of the FAA Newsletter ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RehP0P9gtKDvl6jekDCG1HfM60-gDhEg/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Library News & Events for February 2026 (part 3 of 3)

Weekly / Monthly Events for Teens

D&D Club, Mondays @ 4pm
Registration Required
Kids ages 10-17 are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! Dungeons and Dragons, also known as D&D, is one of the most complex tabletop games in history. The library will supply dice, rulebooks, and blank character sheets! We will be using the 5th edition books and rules. Other Table Top systems are welcome!

• Registration for this club is for the September to December season of Dungeons and Dragons Club.
  If missing a session please email: mgousie@minlib.net as soon as possible.
• Dungeon Masters must be at least 12 years old and have experience with Dungeon and Dragons.
• Dungeon Masters are signing up to lead a table for ALL 16 meetings between September 8th and December 29th.
• Dungeon Masters are required to choose a premade adventure. Homebrew additions to the adventure are allowed.
• Players and Dungeon Masters are required to be respectful, kind, and attentive to each other.
• Groups of Players with a Dungeon Master are welcome to share our space!
• If you have any questions please email: mgousie@minlib.net

  

  Franklin Library News & Events
  for February 2026 (part 3 of 3)

Teen Advisory Board, 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30pm
Join us each month for Teen Advisory Board. The Teen Advisory Board is a GREAT opportunity to get involved here at the library! You'll help plan events and programs, create displays and decorate the teen space, and help drive decisions around the kinds of materials we bring to the YA collection, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours. It's a win-win-win! No registration required.

Game Bytes, Wednesdays @ 4pm
Bring a snack and join us for two hours of casual co-op and solo play. Bring your own device or play on the big screen! No registration required.

Special Events for Teens

Interactive Movie! Thursday, February 5 @ 1pm
Families - join us for a special Interactive movie screening! Enjoy popcorn and some fun surprises. No registration required.

The Bad Apples Present: Date Night Concert,  Wednesday, February 11 @ 6:30pm
Join us at the library for an awesome weeknight concert with the Bad Apples! Featuring your favorite love songs, you're sure to fall in love with the library after this evening. No registration required.

Teen Paint Party, Tuesday, February 17 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Join Miss Lily and create your very own step-by-step painting of some sweet candy hearts! For ages 12+. All materials provided. 

Lunar New Year Celebration, Thursday, February 19 @ 1pm
It's the year of the horse! Come celebrate at the library with crafts, games, snacks and more. No registration required.

Events for Adults

English Conversation Group, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm
Looking for a casual, low-stress place to practice your English language skills? Join us on Tuesday evenings for a friendly group chat with your fellow English learners. Please note: this group is meant for folks who have a basic grasp of English and are looking for conversational practice, not very beginners. A tutor will be present to answer questions and help keep the conversation flowing, but the focus will not be on formal instruction. No registration required.

Table Top, Alternating Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 6pm
Registration Required (see below). No Experience Necessary.
It's time to dust off your dice, grab a source book and role play your way through hijinks and horrors! Table Top is a monthly game of tabletop role playing games for adults! Email mgousie@minlib.net to sign up and/or get more info.

Knitting Group, Fridays, 10am – 12pm
Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room! All skill levels are welcome. No registration required.

Watercolors Workshop Monday, February 9 & 23 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni. For adults 18 and over.

The Bad Apples Present: Date Night Concert,  Wednesday, February 11 @ 6:30pm
Join us at the library for an awesome weeknight concert with the Bad Apples! Featuring your favorite love songs, you're sure to fall in love with the library after this evening. No registration required.

Craftalong for Adults, Saturday, February 14 @ 2pm
Registration Required
Get crafty at the library! Adults of all ages and craft ability levels are welcome to join us for this new program. One Saturday each month, we'll complete a new DIY, creative craft. All supplies provided. Because adults deserve arts & crafts fun, too! This month: Hand Made Cards.

Chocolate Tasting, Saturday, February 14 @ 3pm
Registration Required
New England, and Massachusetts in particular, has been a candy crown jewel since colonial times. Come taste various chocolate types from across the commonwealth as we explore the various types and treats!

Painting for Adults! Saturday, February 28 @ 1pm
Registration Required
Are you feeling creative? Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of a box of chocolates! All materials provided.

Putin's War: His Motives, Claims, and Lies, Saturday, February 28 @ 3pm
Dmitri Yakovlev wholeheartedly supports Ukraine in their fight for freedom and argues that the conflict soon may become the whole world's problem. Explore the history, consequences, and quandaries of the Russia Ukraine conflict. No registration required.

View it on website

Franklin Library News & Events for February 2026 (part 2 of 3)

**LIBRARY EVENTS**

Weekly/Monthly for Children

Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Doggie Tales! Mondays @ 4pm
Registration Required
Kiddos who are working on their reading skills will be able to sign up for a time slot to practice reading to a trained therapy dog. Bring your favorite book or read one of ours. Registration is required, and once attendees arrive they will get their time slot on a first come, first served basis. (We'll also have a greeter dog to keep you company while you wait!)  

Franklin Library News & Events
for February 2026 (part 2 of 3)

Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am
Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.

Pre-K Pals, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)
This 30-minute program for kids ages 3-5 is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.

Wiggle Worms, Tuesdays @4pm (Ages 0-5)
Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required.

Mini Masterpieces, Tuesdays @ 4pm (Ages 6-12)
Registration Required
Join Miss Lily to make your own mini masterpieces! Each week will be a new, small scale, step-by-step watercolor project. All materials provided. 

Terrific Toddlers! Wednesdays @ 10:30am (Ages 18mo-3)
Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities! No registration required.

Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm
Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am
Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby's development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby's comfort. No registration required.

Tot Bop, Thursdays, @ 4pm (Ages 3-5)
Get ready to dance around to an energetic playlist in a class that offers littles a chance to play with musicality, coordination, and creativity - all while practicing listening and learning skills! No registration required.

Artsy Afternoons, Thursdays @ 4pm (Ages 6-11)
Registration Required
Join Ms. Cindy for a step-by-step art project specifically for kids! All materials provided.

Bubble Buddies, Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required.

Weekend Wiggles, Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)
Littles and their grownups are invited to an epic dance party to kick off the weekend! Get those wiggles out with fun music, exciting surprises, and plenty of joy and laughter. No registration required. 

Special Events for Kids & Families

Petite Picassos, Monday, February 2 @ 4pm (Ages 6-12)
Registration Required
Join Miss Lily and create a step-by-step painting of a Valentine's Day cookie! All materials provided.

Interactive Movie! Thursday, February 5 @ 1pm
Families - join us for a special Interactive movie screening! Enjoy popcorn and some fun surprises. No registration required.

Scott Martell Magic Show, Wednesday, February 18 @ 10:30am (Ages 4-12)
Join us as we welcome magician Scott Martell and enjoy a family magic show featuring lots of comedy and surprises! No registration required.

Slime Time, Wednesday, February 18 @ 4pm
Make your own slime at the library! No registration required.

Mr. Vinny Shadow Puppets, Thursday, February 19 @ 10:30am
Mr. Vinny from the Toe Jam Puppet Band presents a dynamic and hilarious family show! Get ready for lots of jokes and audience participation, and a few fun surprises. No registration required.

Lunar New Year Celebration, Thursday, February 19 @ 1pm
It's the year of the horse! Come celebrate at the library with crafts, games, snacks and more. No registration required.

Winter Beach Party! Saturday, February 21 @ 10:30am
Let's bring a little summer warmth to this cold month! Join us as we turn our big program room into an indoor summer oasis. Grab a cold drink and hit the play sand, enjoy beach balls, sand castles, snacks, and groovy tunes. No registration required.

Franklin Library News & Events for February 2026 (part 1 of 3)

January 20, 2026 February 2026 Franklin Library News & Events **LIBRARY NEWS** Library Hours The library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The library will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of President's Day.   New! Access The Boston Globe with Your Library Card Franklin Public Library, through its Minuteman Library Network membership, now provides free, unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com to resident cardholders of all member libraries through a 72-hour access pass, for up to 500 users at a time. Enter your library card number, then follow-up the steps to create or login with a BostonGlobe.com account. If successful, that account will receive a welcome email and have 72-hours access to all subscriber content. 2026 Reading Challenge February: A Book Outside Your Usual Genre Looking for a way to expand your reading habits this year? Join the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge for adults and the library reward your reading with a coupon for a free book from our book sale! Check out the details on our Reading Challenges page.  VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Beginning Saturday, February 7 It's tax season and volunteers at Franklin Public Library are here to help! If you made $67k or less as a household in 2025, have a disability, or limited English, our volunteers are prepared to work with you to file your federal and state taxes for free. Be sure to bring all of your tax documents (such as W-2, 1099s, 1099HC, etc.), valid government issued photo ID, and social security cards (photocopies and previous returns accepted). Learn more about the VITA program and what documents you need at www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net.   ESOL Tutoring Program The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form. Homebound Delivery Program Can't make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron's home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website. Museum Passes Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance. Franklin Library Book Sale Friday, February 20: 1 - 5pm Saturday, February 21: 9am - 12pm All books are just one dollar! Bag Sale - $5 A Bag Saturday, February 21: 1 - 4pm Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

State Representative Jeff Roy: A Look Back at 2025

State Representative Jeff Roy's latest newsletter is now available. It reflects on 2025 and more.

A Look Back at 2025

As we embark on a new year, the video below provides a look at 2025 in photos. It captures a year of celebrations, ribbon cuttings, and meetings with constituents, students and stakeholders. We cultivated the arts, manufacturing, recreational facilities, MBTA improvements, and historical markers. We brought the community together for conversations about substance use disorder, climate change, antisemitism, housing, food insecurity, tourism, and educational improvements. We honored veterans, our nation’s 250th birthday, students, educators, and our  community partners. It was a whirlwind year but capturing these moments shows we have a lot to be thankful for in these complicated times. So please enjoy this trip down memory lane and accept our Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

You can find the full content online at -> 

https://mailchi.mp/b488a5076ca5/march-2021-newsletter-10613895

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/

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

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)

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

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!

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

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

Smile Days at the Children’s Museum of Franklin

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Friends,   Today was one of those *"pause and smile"* days – we welcomed Visitor 25,000 through our doors! 🎉   That number represents 25,000 friends who have found joy, belonging, connection and discovery in this space – and all in less than FOUR months since opening day.    When families choose CMF as a place to spend time together, we see a powerful reminder of this space becoming all we dreamed it would be: a welcoming hub for families across our region where learning feels joyful, play is purposeful, and every visitor is celebrated for exactly who they are.   With huge smiles, Children's Museum of Franklin Children's Museum of Franklin is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization made possible by the community, for the community. Thank you for supporting enrichment for children and families. Here's what else is happening: Members & non-members: Snag your spot ahead of time to guarantee entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19. Pre-Register The newsletter was shortened for publication here. You can full the full set on content online.

Franklin First Newsletter - Volume 13

January 12, 2026 Franklin First Newsletter - Volume 13 Please enjoy this 2025 year-end edition of the Franklin First Newsletter!  Note, due to staffing shortages, the Town Administration Dept. has not been able to release Franklin First since September 19th.  We expect a Communications Director to be on staff in February and we look forward to resuming a regular newsletter cycle and putting out more content in 2026! Click to read the latest volume of Franklin First. Click here to sign up for notifications. View it on website

   

Or view the PDF version of the newsletter here -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VhXAtBIjNbt5XeyXwboL8WupWpwcI6lV/view?usp=drive_link

Senior Center January 2026 newsletter and audio insights to special events

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

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

Audio link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/we-get-inside-view-on-all-special.html

Senior Center January 2026 newsletter and audio insights to special events

Franklin Public Library - January 2026 newsletter

January 2026 newsletter -> 

Ben Franklin playing his glass armonica

https://www.franklinma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=90  

Mitzi & I review the special events scheduled at the Library for January 2026 (audio)

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1616-franklin-public-library-jan-2026-highlights-12-18-25/