There is no fooling around with what's happening at the Library in April 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1697 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1697 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, March 17, 2026.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

• Closed all day on Monday, April 20 for Patriot’s Day

• Library events for April 2026

• 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 19 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uk0vR3tdKg

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1697-franklin-public-library-apr-2026-event-highlights-03-17-26/

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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 

April 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/109 

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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!

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Franklin High School Freshman Wins Third Place in Poetry Out Loud State Final

Franklin High School is proud to share that freshman Marina Zaki recently won third place at the Poetry Out Loud state final.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of poetry through a recitation competition for high school students. Participants memorize and recite poems selected from the Poetry Out Loud database and are judged based on their physical presence, voice and articulation, interpretation, evidence of understanding and overall performance.

FHS ninth grader Marina Zaki, left, earned 3rd
place in the state's Poetry Out Loud competition.
 (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

On March 8, Marina competed against students from 48 other schools across Massachusetts. She performed "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, "My Grandmother's Love Letters" by Hart Crane and "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke, ending her competitive run with a third-place finish. 

The Poetry Out Loud program begins at a local level, with students volunteering to perform in their own schools. Marina won the schoolwide competition and moved on to the district level, where she earned a top five spot and advanced to the state competition at the Old South Meeting House in Boston. 

The first-place finisher at the state level advances to the final, national competition. 

Marina was inspired to participate in Poetry Out Loud after watching her sister perform in the competition two years prior. 

“Seeing so many emphatic and passionate people presenting these poems and telling their story as if it was unfolding right in front of my eyes really inspired me,” Marina said.

“We are so proud of Marina for winning third place at the Poetry Out Loud state final,” said Principal Maria Weber. “The confidence she exudes during performances is inspiring, and it has been an honor to see her grow as she advanced through the competition. We are also so grateful to English teacher Erin Kennerley, who worked closely with the Poetry Out Loud program to bring the competition to Franklin High School and guide students through each round. Without her efforts, Marina and her classmates would not have had this opportunity.”

Book signing event: March 12 at Birchwood Bakery - "A Dance with the Cosmos" - Poetry by Marc D. Cohen

Book signing event: March 12 at Birchwood Bakery

Please stop by to celebrate!

Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 6 PM – 8 PM

Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen

17 East Central St. Franklin

Congratulations, March Cohen has published a book of his poetry: "A Dance with the Cosmos"

via Marc Cohen

"A Dance with the Cosmos"

"I would like to announce that Simon & Schuster has just published my poetry book titled, "A Dance with the Cosmos."

I would like to thank, and add that there is an acknowledgement page in the book;

Michael Cohen , Sean Sylver , Gail M. Cohen, and Kelly Phelan for the editing and proofreading efforts. A special thanks goes out to Amy Adams for the artwork for the cover!

The book is currently available in paperback and hardcover at the link below. In the search box, use the title to find the book.

The poetry book includes about 20 nature photographs that match the theme of the various poems.

Thank you everyone who has read my poetry, and made this an exciting adventure!"

Order a copy -> https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/870852-a-dance-with-the-cosmos

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FueuJ7rSu/

Voices of Franklin: Reflections upon a gift of conversations received from a friend called necessity*

*With apologies to John Tobias

During that autumn 

As the leaves started to 

Change color and fall

Creating a carpet of crunches

While the temperature remained summer like 

But without the thunder storms to 

Roll thru and break the heat

Even if momentarily 

While the drought monitors crept higher

And higher, inducing restrictions 

On outdoor water use

During that autumn

Which definitely was 

Created by the biennial election

There were multiple conversations 

And the conversations ruled

Schedules to coordinate

Times to agree upon,

Zoom info shared, then connecting

Sound check, 

Background check,

Lighting check,

Find the button and we're on

How to get at the questions

Folks wanted answers to

Without being so direct,

Abrupt, or unfriendly

We created the context,

The setting, neighbors 

Meeting neighbors

Some closer than others

Some we'd met before

Some we hadn't yet

Until there, virtually, we were

Together to get their story

Their point of view 

Recorded to share

Wind down to a close, 

Then editing, Cut this, 

Queue this, upload that, 

Send this, wait for their response

And when the recording 

Was approved, it was

Shared, some more widely than

Others, somehow that is always

The case, some candidates generated

More interest by being new

Less familiar than the

Incumbents whom folks seem

To know enough of

To not need anymore

When the recorded conversations 

Came to a close

Other conversations began

Folks following up with candidates

Candidates following up with

Each other, making the meet &

Greet circuit, making the rounds, 

To address all the questions,

Provide all the answers

On the website, the pages 

Are rich with links

To the conversations, 

Video and audio, 

Along with historical data, 

Info on what was done before

And may need to begin again

To further the conversation

And become closer neighbors

Than we were when 

The conversation started

When the biennial election is

Over, the results tallied,

Perhaps they'll be a new set

Of folks at the table

Now with the task of

Providing oversight

To our Town, our services

Which we need, some of which

Some of us

More than others

And so by necessity 

This autumn the conversations 

Continue, neighbors with neighbors 

To find the solutions

That can be possible

Steve Sherlock

Franklin resident

originally shared with the Senior Center Writers Group and posted to

https://www.quietpoet.com/2025/10/reflections-upon-gift-of-conversations.html

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Reflections upon a gift of conversations received from a friend called necessity*

DEBUT of New PUBLIC ART at the Franklin Sculpture Park

The Town of Franklin is proud to present The Healing Word: Poetry for Awareness and Connection, a new public art installation making its debut this September at the Franklin Sculpture Park.

Created in honor of National Suicide Awareness Month (September), this project invited local poets and writers to share original works exploring themes of mental health, healing, and hope.

DEBUT of New PUBLIC ART at the Franklin Sculpture Park

Eight poets were compensated for their contributions through the FY25 public art earmark secured by Senator Rebecca Rausch. Their words now stand as works of public art—offering space for reflection, connection, and compassion, while demonstrating the power of the arts to support both emotional well-being and the local creative economy.

Featured Poets: Jamie Brannon, Marc D. Cohen, Rachael Dubinsky, Alan R. Earls, Takaaki Matsumoto, Ella Mooradian, Ali Rheaume, and Stephen Sherlock

We invite you to visit the Sculpture Park, spend time with these moving works, and experience how poetry can bring awareness, healing, and community connection.

Photo album of the individual displays ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rjcEPwhaMQUk9Cnb8

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Content Advisory: Sensitive Material

The poems presented in this series share (the poets) personal reflections of mental health, healing, and recovery. Some works may include references to depression, trauma, grief, or suicidal thoughts. This project is part of a community-wide effort to use art as a means of fostering empathy, understanding, and hope. While these pieces express individual experiences, the Town of Franklin does not promote or endorse suicide, self-harm, or any form of violence toward oneself or others.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, support is available. You are not alone. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org.

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More of my poetry can also be found at quietpoet.com. The work selected is linked to here

https://www.quietpoet.com/2024/12/whats-next.html