Get that spring feeling with Scott Mason as he shares some baseball stories (audio)

FM #1638 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1638 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Scott Mason. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, January 12, 20256

 

Scott Mason

Our conversation covers 

• Trains & baseball

• Pawtucket Red Sox, Ben Mondor

• Playing in senior league

• Spring training for new season

The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1638-scott-mason-baseball-stories-01-12-26/

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Recording for Train Town 1 - Franklin/Dean Station https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/talking-about-train-town-franklin-with.html 

Photos of Train Town 1  https://photos.app.goo.gl/63swENWgBkK4xMrh8 

Train Town 2 - Thompson Print & the railroad roundhouse  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html 

Photos of Train Town 2  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XmDcRiygct5kg6Vh7 

Train Town 3 - or “Franklin in Miniature” 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town-3.html 

Photos of Train Town 3 or “Franklin in Miniature”

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6dX8gNB9q3yFfycW8 

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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?

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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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MetroWest Boston Visitors Center: Enter our Photo Contest and Win $250!

See your photos featured in our new Visitors Guide or marketing campaigns!

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WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS! The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau is launching our new Visitors Guide, and we want to showcase YOUR fabulous photos of the region! We are looking for high resolution, great photos of festivals/special events, activities, dining/ food, historic sites, outdoor adventures, attractions, and more! You can upload your photos directly via this form. If your photo is selected as the winning cover photo for the next guide, you will win $250! To be considered for a cover photo, please keep the following parameters in mind: vertical orientation, colorful, showcases a fun family-friendly attaction/activity/location, and positions MetroWest as interesting and unique as a destination. MetroWest includes the following towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Westborough. Deadline extended! Entries will be accepted until June 30, 2025 at 11:59pm, so enter to win now! Enter the Contest Questions? Problems entering? Email us at info@metrowestvisitors.org View this email in your browser MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau | 860 Worcester Road | Framingham, MA 01702 US Funded in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Reporting by Walking Around: A Wreath of Franklin - Dec 7 (photo essay)

The first "A Wreath of Franklin" was held on Saturday Dec 7, 2024.  I did my walking around to catch a few of the multiple events. My wife and I also came back (via car) to catch the Celtic & Christmas concert at the Library at 3 PM.

The wreaths are scheduled to be on display through December.

The story map of the wreath locations. A screen grab of the map is shown, the link  takes you to the interactive map ->   https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/aaa1de9182414b349cf62a16057b8a89

wreath outside Fire Station #1

Eddie Grant wreath at the Historical Museum

sock skating rink temporarily set up by the Children's Museum of Franklin

display of student art inside the former bookstore set up as a popup shop for the day

display of student art inside 2 the former bookstore set up as a popup shop for the day

wreath crafted by the Rise Up group (I did participate in a segment of the crafting)

A Wreath of Franklin booklet

If you missed picking up the booklet, I have a PDF copy available for download here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/172dz2ZFH_7r7x_LVCtDL5G1yCOztJ-TO/view?usp=drive_link

Of note, the #ThinkFranklinFirst gifts are being revived. An info session will be held at Dean Bank in early 2025. I'll share the info details once I get it.

All the photos can also be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/F7ivkU97yCoCPLHaA

Franklin TV is looking for pictures of the Turco & Pisano Market

"Franklin TV is looking for pictures of the Turco and Pisano Market on Hutchinson St. This is our current home and we would like to memorialize our history and this special neighborhood.  

Rose Turco, our Board member and family relative, cannot locate any family pictures of the market."

If you do have photos of  the Turco & Pisano Market, please contact info@franklin.tv

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/eViDiFt9pFwZ6HRp/

Franklin TV is looking for pictures of the Turco & Pisano Market

The week that was in Franklin (photo essay)

Catching up to share photos from the week that was.

Sunday, June 9 was the world premiere of the chamber opera "Mary Anning, Fossil Hunter." You can listen to the interview with Composer Jon Ceander Mitchell and Conductor Luis Viquez here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/jon-and-luis-talk-about-chamber-opera.html

Conductor Luis Viquez leads the chamber group and chorus

cast of Mary Anning performing

Monday, June 10,  more than 100 teachers, students and supporters stood out along RT 140 from Jersey's Mike to Honey Dew to attract attention to the override vote on Tuesday.

supporters along RT 140 - 1

supporters along RT 140 - 2

On Tuesday, June 11 the election held at Franklin High School the largest turnout for an override vote with 45% casting their votes. The No position narrowly won by 236 votes. The only successful override (in 2007) passed because the entire support among Town and School folks were united. There was sufficient discord and misinformation shared to create the result this time.

more teachers at FHS on Tuesday

A bright spot on Tuesday was the brief and fun celebration of the Traveling School of Fish at the Sculpture Park. Artist Amy Adams coordinated the efforts of students at Parmenter to paint fish shaped by students at Tri-County funded by a Cultural District grant. Jamele Adams hosted the festivities at the Sculpture Park.

stop by the Sculpture Park (on Panther Way) to see the display

Jamele (light blue in center) hosted the fun

Wednesday, June 12 began with the Fallen Hero Recognition on the Town Common Veteran Walkway. This one honored Lloyd Ellis who was killed during the fighting after the D-Day landing in France during World War II. Keeping his memory alive helps. 

Fallen Hero Recognition for Lloyd Ellis

The day also saw many conversation on and about the results and other business in Franklin at the monthly Q&A at the Senior Center. The night meeting schedule changed during the day as the Master Plan Update Cmte (which didn't seem ready at their meeting last week) rescheduled their public hearing for June 26 and then again to July 10. The School Committee which had scheduled a meeting on Wednesday also canceled their meeting, keeping their regularly scheduled session for June 18.

Thursday, June 13 also saw more conversation around Cultural events and planning for them as the Cultural District committee included Cultural District partners for their meeting. A good time to walk and enjoy the good weather and clear skies.

night time at the Senior Center flag pole

Friday, June 14, Flag Day. It was grandson sitting day so I missed the recognition event for Sgt Timothy Hayes in the morning but did get out to visit the Farmers Market. Bread, honey, coffee and many conversations in the brief visit before heading back to grandson time. The Farmers Market is a happening place on Friday's and will be more so June 28 and following as Concerts on the Common expands the activities past the market close at 6 PM. Stay tuned for the schedule of events as they happen.

Farmers Market regular vendor listing

Saturday, June 15 had some schedule changes for me as the grandson stayed overnight. Members of the LGBTQ Alliance and supporters planted mini flags on the Town Common. The Rise Up group had a successful info session with State Rep Jeff Roy at the Franklin United Methodist Church. And on the New England sports front, the Red Sox topped the Yankees, and the Revolution won their 3rd game in a row.

LGBTQ Alliance and supporters planted mini flags on the Town Common

There is a full slate of events scheduled for the week ahead. Subscribe for the daily newsletter that gives you all that matters here in Franklin MA. Your source for what you can watch, listen to, or read about Franklin.

The week that was in Franklin (photo essay)

Franklin PorchFest deemed a success (photo essay)

So what happens when more than 50 performers set up on more than 30 porches to sing and entertain all comers in Franklin, MA on Saturday, June 1?

Lots of folks had a great time!

From bagpipes to rock, folk to jazz, you name it some music was there for everyone to choose from.

Meredith McKunes and I split up to cover as many of the performances as we could. Stay tuned for the video output. There are a few hours to edit and prepare. 

In the meantime, some teaser photos as I made my rounds:

Garden of Hedon

Eli Cash Band

Bucketlist

Berkshire Valley Boys

Community performance of "God Bless America" on the Town Common

Other photos captured during the day can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QTkUcwMhpaLhsBRF8

Pride Flag rises in Franklin (photo essay)

Amber Wilson, former President of the LGBTQ Alliance, was master of ceremonies on Saturday morning (June 1) at the Municipal Building as a good crowd gathered to celebrate the beginning of Pride month. The Pride flag was raised for the first time officially in Franklin.

Amber Wilson (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

State Rep Jeff Roy (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

before the Pride Flag rising (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

Town Councilor Ted Cormier-Leger (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

Senator Rausch's District Director Aiden Doherty  (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

FSPA's Electric Youth performed (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

Almost all present posed for a group photo (photo courtesy Paul Viccario)

Additional photos courtesy of Paul Viccaro https://photos.app.goo.gl/HnT7QBUhA7qcy1sd8