Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 051 - March, St. Patrick's Day, Valentines Day, "Fifty Ways To Love Your Lover" (audio)

In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about love, obituaries, is it Memorex? and much more.

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for March 2023.

Audio file -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-051-march-st-patricks-day-valentines-day-fifty-ways-to-love-your-lover

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group

Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 

Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Two poetry events at the Library for April to celebrate "National Poetry Month" - Apr 8 & Apr 29

Come celebrate National Poetry Month at the Franklin Public Library with poetry workshops and a Favorite Poem Recordings!

• April 8, 12-3 PM

Poetry Writing Workshops

FOUnd POETRY with Camille Napier Bernstein

OR

“I WRITE – You Do, Too”  with Jamele Adams

• April 29, 12-3 PM

Favorite Poem Project™  with Steve Sherlock  and Camille Napier Bernstein

Choose a favorite published poem that you have long treasured or recently discovered. Read it for a recording celebrating National Poetry Month for later inclusion on Steve’s podcast.

Note: Poems may not be ones you or family members or friends have written. 

Limit: Five minutes reading time.

Use the form here to sign up to read your favorite poem ->   https://forms.gle/yyrpREyk4BBFXGpr8 

Download and share the flyer with your friends & neighbors

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BCI2zFmVq07pmiBHU-8wnkPtuvhGxxkQ/view?usp=share_link

Two poetry events at the Library for April to celebrate "National Poetry Month" - Apr 8 & Apr 29

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 050 - Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, Presidents Day more (audio)

In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about February holidays; Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day, love, and more.

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for February 2023.

Audio file -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-050-valentines-day-groundhog-day-presidents-day-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group

Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 

Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Franklin Cultural Districts: #artshappenhere starting with poetry Wednesday!

Let's start with poetry. A great start and everything else follows. Dr Steinberg speaks at Dean Thursday. Farmers Market Friday. Harvest Festival Saturday. Tyrolean Festival at THE BLACK BOX & Oktoberfest at 67 Degrees. LiveARTS Concert on Sunday.

Yes, another set of #artshappenhere events in Franklin!

Wednesday, September 28

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

6:00pm - People's Poetry (open mic for poetry) (Escape Into Fiction)

6:30pm - Teen Poets Society (open mic for poetry) (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, September 29

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

6:00pm - Dean Leadership Institute: Dr Charles Steinberg (Dean College - Guidry Center)

6:00pm - Nick & Emily (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Friday, September 30

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

2:00pm - Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:30pm - Heather Dreary (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

6:00pm - Charlie Rock (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Kendo Acoustic (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, October 1

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

12:00pm - Harvest Festival (street fair with vendors, music, etc.) (Downtown Franklin)

1:00pm - Tyrolean Festival (food & music) (THE BLACK BOX)

4:00pm - Nick & Emily (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Oktoberfest Celebration - Afro Fusion Restaurant (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Oktoberfest Celebration - Sudden Odd Behavior Music (67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, October 2

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

12:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church)

1:00pm - Jimmy Fund Walk (fund raiser) (La Cantina Winery)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm - Oktoberfest Celebration - Raina’s Plate (67 Degrees Brewery)

1:00pm - Oktoberfest Celebration - Scott Damgaard (67 Degrees Brewery)

3:00pm - LiveARTS: Musical Magic! (First Universalist Society - 262 Chestnut St)

Monday, October 3

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church)

Tuesday, October 4

Fall Storywalk (Delcarte Recreation)

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch Sale (St John’s Episcopal Church)

6:30pm - Franklin Garden Club meeting (Franklin Public Library) 

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance meeting (Timeless CrossFit)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events    https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: #Artshappenhere

Escape into Fiction hosts People's Poetry - Sep 28 at 6 PM; Library hosts Teen Poets Society at 6:30

1 - People's poetry 

An open mic event at the Escape Into Fiction book store facilitated by Jamil Adams. 

I was planning on being there myself until the Town Council meeting moved from last week to this. And then I found the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for 6 PM. Yes, the same start time.

Oh well. I'll do the meetings, you can do the poetry, we'll meet later and compare notes.

Or as Rumi said:

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing

and rightdoing there is a field.

I'll meet you there."

 

Escape into Fictions hosts People's Poetry - Sep 28 at 6 PM

Shared from Escape Into Fiction's Instagram -> 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-DZWYBCRi/

You can visit Escape Into Fiction online -> https://www.escapeintofiction.com/

or on Main St

2 - Teen Poets Society

Teens! Join us for our very own version of the Dead Poets Society! Come share your favorite poems, prose, or lyrics, or just come to listen! 

Library hosts Teen Poets Society at 6:30

"I only ask that you care before it’s too late" (video)

Amanda Gorman finds the word to speak to the United Nations General Assembly:

"I only ask that you care before it’s too late, That you live aware and awake, That you lead with love in hours of hate." At #UNGA, poet, activist &

@unicef

supporter

@theamandagorman

shared a powerful poem calling for urgent action to achieve the #GlobalGoals.

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/UN/status/1571982716748398595

Amanda Gorman at UN, screengrab from UN video

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Ep. 044 - How To Handle Being Bored, Unexpected Science Discoveries, Meeting Ben Affleck and more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, writings plays and more about how to stop being bored when you find yourself bored, weird unexpected science discoveries, how Alice met Ben Affleck at a movie premiere, sharing poems of love, and a collection of sherkus.

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for August 2022.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/ep-044-how-to-handle-being-bored-unexpected-science-discoveries-meeting-ben-affleck-at-a-movie-premiere-highschool-summer-memories-love-poems-and-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Senior Story Hour - WFPR

The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group. Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 

Senior Story Hour: Episode 043 - Life Advice to a Young Person, Poetry, The Story of Sherku, Christian Camp & more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center share stories, poems, writings plays and more about life advice for a young person in need, the story of Sherku, christian camp and more!

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for July 2022.

Audio file -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-043-life-advice-to-a-young-person-poetry-the-story-of-sherku-christian-camp-and-more

Senior Story Hour: Episode 043

Senior Story Hour: Episode 042 - Uvalde, Cribbage, Visiting The Neighborhood, Amazon and More (audio)

"In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center writer's group share stories, poems, writings and more about the tragedy Uvalde, Cribbage and a String of Pearls, Revisiting old neighborhoods, Amazon deliveries and more!

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for June 2022."

Audio file -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-042-uvalde-cribbage-visiting-the-neighborhood-amazon-and-more

Senior Story Hour: Episode 042

The writer's group meets weekly on Wednesday's at 1 PM either in person at the Senior Center or virtually via Zoom. Once a month we meet at the Franklin TV studio to record this session for radio and podcast.

If you would like to join the writer's group contact the Senior Center or send me an email (shersteve @ gmail.com) and we'll get you on the mailing list.

"Who Will Clean Out The Desks"

"As part of teacher appreciation month, Morning Edition asked NPR's audience to write a poem about teachers who have had an impact on their lives. 

We put out this call a week before the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, so the majority of contributors are not reflecting on that horrific day but a late addition did reflect that loss. 

We received over 300 responses, and NPR's poet in residence Kwame Alexander took lines from submissions to create a community poem. 

This poem is dedicated to all teachers, but especially to Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles, fourth grade teachers who lost their lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde."

Continue reading the community generated poem online

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/59447/who-will-clean-out-the-desks-a-crowdsourced-poem-in-praise-of-teachers

 

A teacher cleans a desk in a classroom during a media tour at Dorothy Eisenberg Elementary School in Las Vegas.  (John Locher/AP)

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Baseball, Hockey, Spring, Meatloaf and So Much More (audio)

"In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center writers group presents stories and poems about growing up playing baseball, being a mother in a hockey family, the dawning of Spring, how meatloaf saved Zenobia's life and much more. 

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for April 2022"

Audio file ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-040-baseball-hockey-spring-meatloaf-and-so-much-more

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Baseball, Hockey, Spring, Meatloaf and So Much More (audio)

#LoveFranklin - Open Mic Night at THE BLACK BOX - 12/08/21 (audio)

FM #689 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 689 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the #LoveFranklin Open Mic Night held on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021 at THE BLACK BOX.  

The evening master of ceremony duties were shared by MacKenzie Atwood and Jamele Adams.

The original raw recording runs an hour and 36 minutes. You’ll be listening to the edited version which is shortened by about 12 minutes. 

Key reasons for shortening the recording (1) to spare your ears the jarring sound of cleaning the microphone between performers. (2) A couple of the audience participation exercises were shortened. (How much indistinct audience/crowd noise can you listen to?). 

One percussion performance added at the last minute during the evening was also shortened. The percussion exercise was good to be in while it happened but would have been headache inducing to listen to. So we spared you that. No other performance was shortened or edited in any way.

Let’s listen to the Love Franklin Open Mic Night of Dec 8, 2021.

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-689-lovefranklin-open-mic-night-12-08-21

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

The lineup for the "Love Franklin" Open Mic Night at THE BLACK BOX

1. Jamele Adams - poem

2. Mia Magliari - All I Ask by Adele

3. Audrey Olmstead - She by Dodie

4. Hope Guanga - If I knew by Bruno Mars

5. Mackenzie Atwood - Back In (self written poem)

6. Joe Maple and Audrey Olmstead - Can't Help Falling in Love with you

7. Meghan Whitmore - Her Personal Story

8. Andrew Mitchell - Crisis by Joshua Bassett

9. Maria Zaki - Complainers by Rudy Francisco

10. Steve Sherlock - Poem: Variations on the theme of "A dark and stormy night"

11. Hope Guanga - Crocodile Rock by Elton John

12. Judi Perez - percussion exercise

Jamele closes with a recap of some of the audience inspirations

More information about the Freedom Team can be found online -> https://www.franklinfreedomteam.org/

More of my poetry can be found at quietpoet.com/ 

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

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

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!

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

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

 

for the 'selfie exercise' with Meghan Whitmore

Pantherbook article on this event -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/pantherbook-lovefranklin-open-mic-night.html

Pantherbook: LoveFranklin Open Mic Night - Dec 8, 2021

"May this be the day We come together"

A poem? In Franklin Matters? Why? 

Sometimes the poet has the words to say what needs to be said. In this case, the new work by Amanda Gorman fits the need so very well.  

‘New Day's Lyric’ by Amanda Gorman

May this be the day

We come together.

Mourning, we come to mend, 

Withered, we come to weather,

Torn, we come to tend,

Battered, we come to better. 

Tethered by this year of yearning,

We are learning

That though we weren't ready for this, 

We have been readied by it.

Steadily we vow that no matter

How we are weighed down,

We must always pave a way forward.

This hope is our door, our portal.

Even if we never get back to normal, 

Someday we can venture beyond it,

To leave the known and take the first steps. 

So let us not return to what was normal, 

But reach toward what is next.

What was cursed, we will cure.

What was plagued, we will prove pure.

Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,

Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee, 

Where we weren't aware, we're now awake;

Those moments we missed

Are now these moments we make,

The moments we meet,

And our hearts, once all together beaten,

Now all together beat.

Come, look up with kindness yet,

For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. 

We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday, 

But to take on tomorrow.

We heed this old spirit,

In a new day's lyric,

In our hearts, we hear it:

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne.

Be bold, sang Time this year, 

Be bold, sang Time,

For when you honor yesterday, 

Tomorrow ye will find.

Know what we've fought

Need not be forgot nor for none.

It defines us, binds us as one, 

Come over, join this day just begun. 

For wherever we come together, 

We will forever overcome.

 

Shared from The Rolling Stone

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/amanda-gorman-new-poem-new-days-lyric-1276981/

and USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/12/29/amanda-gorman-poem-new-days-lyric-full-text-2021-2022/9045480002/

Listen to Amanda read this poem in her Instagram video ->

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYEpCgxBTAf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Listen to Amanda read this poem in her Instagram video 

Pantherbook: LoveFranklin Open Mic Night - Dec 8, 2021

Overview 

"From the cast of Franklin High School’s Mamma Mia! to a Dean College faculty member, Franklin community members from all backgrounds were able to express themselves on stage on December 8th, 2021. Mackenzie Atwood, FHS senior, had the emcee position for the first half of the night and, expectedly, provided a very entertaining experience for the audience members. She kept the audience constantly engaged through small anecdotes about the participants and subtle quips. (Notable audience members included Steve Sherlock and Dr. Sara Ahern). Atwood started the night off by highlighting her recent experience at the October school committee meeting and emphasized the importance of “speaking up for people who can’t speak up for themselves.” She later conveyed her experiences as an openly gay student through an original poem– a beautiful one, might I add. Participants in the latter portion of the night were introduced by Jamele Adams, the leader of the Franklin Freedom Team. "

Interview

"An Accepting Community – Meghan Whitmore

For those of you who don’t know, Meghan Whitmore is a transgender woman who delivered a heartfelt speech on Open Mic Night about her experience transitioning and the reception she received afterward. Her moving words illustrated the importance of inclusivity, and Whitmore even stressed how touching it was to have people accept her as a woman."

Interview

"Love One Another, Stand for Change – Jamele Adams

Needing no introduction due to his large impact on Franklin, Jamele Adams immediately captivated his listeners when he began to recite his poem. Although he was a participant in the event, Adams also played a significant role in organizing Open Mic Night, so when I broached the idea of making it an annual show, he enthusiastically replied, “More than once a year, hopefully, this could happen once a week!“, elaborating on the fact that “the Open Mic affected everyone in this space […] Folks shared that they were absolutely moved and then at the end when people were asked to write about how they were inspired, they shared how they were inspired […] People were moved in the space. People shared their narrative because they trusted in the space, and the energy was powerful and welcoming, and warm, supportive, and filled with advocacy for love. “

Continue reading the article online 
https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/12/08/open-mic-night-a-forum-for-all-to-express-themselves/

Pantherbook: LoveFranklin Open Mic Night - Dec 8, 2021