What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, April 26, 2025 ???

Saturday, April 26

9:00am Ladybug Trail Spring Walk (Franklin, MA )

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Drug Take Back Day (multiple locations) SAFE Coalition

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

10:00am Favorite Poem Reading (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Disability Expo (Franklin Senior Center)

11:00am Drug Take Back Day (Wrentham Town Hall)

1:00pm Bacchus Buster (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Spring Carnival (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Dance Company (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm Michael Rivelis (free concert) (Franklin United Methodist Church)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 25, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events 

• This segment features my conversation with Camille Bernstein on poetry and her special project during April poetry month -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/camille-and-steve-talk-about-poetry-and.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Camille and Steve talk about poetry and how it helps us (audio)

FM #1429 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1429 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Camille Bernstein about poetry and her project for April as Poetry Month. We recorded this conversation in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio Wednesday, April 9, 2025. 

We cover the following in our wide ranging conversation

• The origins of her project

• Poetry was responsible for meeting her husband

• Words and how they matter

• Poetry as a centering aspect of life

The recording runs about 45 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1429-cbernstein-poetry-04-09-25/

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The link to sign up for the April poem a day project https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yf-G9LvPeAvF5B7FJdDSyBpr8eGNNkcfJbBTYl6xYtk/edit 

Link to "Today”, the Billy Collins' poem that Camille reads -> 

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/40824/today-56d21ebdad746 

You can find my poetry online at quietpoet.com

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

Camille and Steve talk about poetry and how it helps us (audio)

First poem contest - deadline to enter is March 15

First poem contest - deadline to enter is March 15

Hey, batter-batter swing! If you’re a New England poet, Mass Poetry wants you to step up to the plate and take a crack at our First Poem Contest for the chance to kick off the first headlining event of the 2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival, taking place May 31st and June 1st.

The winner and two honorable mentions will be invited to read their poem in person at the Festival. The cash prize is $250 for the winner and $50 for honorable mentions. 

There is a $10 entry fee, which supports the Festival and the contest. A fee-free option is available for students or anyone for whom the entry fee would present a barrier. The deadline to submit is March 15th.

More info here:  https://festival.masspoetry.org/first-poem-contest/

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DGQxLU2P2KX/

Franklin High School Celebrates Student Success

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Assistant Superintendent Tina Rogers, and Principal Maria Weber are thrilled to share Franklin High School students' success.

From the classroom to the performance stage and on the athletic fields, Franklin High School students succeeded in academics, athletics, clubs, extracurriculars, and in the community.

"We are continually impressed with our students' dedication and determination," Superintendent Giguere said. "They work extremely hard and constantly exceed the day-to-day requirements expected of them. We are thrilled to celebrate their success stories."

Some of the highlights over the last few months at Franklin High School include the following:

Academics

Forty-seven Franklin High School students have either earned the Seal of Biliteracy or are in line to earn it when they graduate. The award recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by graduation. Last year, four Franklin High students were awarded college credit for earning the Seal. 

Poetry Out Loud

More than a dozen Franklin High School students participated in a Poetry Out Loud competition on Thursday, Jan. 23. Students recited two poems from memory during two rounds of competition. Senior Ella Mahoney won the competition and plans to move forward and compete at districts at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. For the next round of the competition, she must select a third poem from the Poetry Out Loud website to memorize. Sophomore Abigail Schmellick came in second place and will serve as a backup to Ella for districts.

Athletics

Franklin High School Athletics teams celebrated several successes in the fall 2024 season, including a Massachusetts School Administrators' Association Div. 1 2024 Fall Cheerleading State Championship. The Cheerleading team will compete at the national level this spring.

MIAA coaches

Three Franklin High School coaches received MIAA 2023-24 Coach of the Year awards: Boys Basketball coach CJ Neely, Unified Track coach Lisa Burger, and former Boys and Girls Swim coach Jess Pridham. 

DECA

The Franklin High School DECA Chapter participated in the regional Massachusetts DECA District Two Conference on Jan. 9 and 10 in Mansfield.

DECA Chapter

On Jan. 9, over 100 Franklin students competed in the Written Event, facing intense competition from more than 700 students across various districts, all vying for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced one individual and 14 teams to the next stage.

On Jan. 10, Franklin High School had over 50 students competing in the Role Play Event, which featured over 450 students from other districts, competing for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced five individuals and four teams.

DECA Chapter 2

Franklin DECA will proudly send over 50 students to the State Competition, which will take place at the Seaport Boston from Feb. 27 to March 1. The team aspires to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Florida, the pinnacle of DECA competitions.

Visual & Performing Arts

The Franklin High School Theatre Company (FHSTC), directed by Chloe Selznik, performed "The Outsiders" in November.

Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen

Twenty-seven Franklin High School music students have been accepted into the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. Eight students placed first chair in their sections. Eighteen of the students scored high enough to be recommended for auditions for the Massachusetts All-State Festival.

Franklin High School music student volunteers performed at various community events to help celebrate the holiday season, including performances at Walmart, Shaw's, and Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

In collaboration with the Salvation Army, Franklin High School Chorus members sang Christmas carols at Stop & Shop on two occasions, raising $484 for the cause.

Join Us for Poetry & Conversation - Saturday, Nov 9 at 10 AM

“Poetry is not a luxury; it is a vital necessity of our existence and a weapon of resistance for all who seek to be heard.” Audre Lorde

Join Us for Poetry & Conversation - Saturday, Nov 9 at 10 AM

Since life provides us with constant challenges, we invite you to gather for some poetry and conversation.  This poetry and conversation session is a safe space for our community to express and explore the reactions and emotions you (we) are experiencing. Bring along a poem that resonates with you—whether it's something you've written or a cherished piece from a poet you admire. Or just bring yourself … Likely the first of a series of sessions, so if you don’t make this one, maybe you can join us next time.

Franklin Public Library

November 9, 2024

10 AM - noon

As Audre Lorde said, “The very first thing that you need to do is to make a place for your own voice. You have to learn to make the words come out of your own mouth, to speak and to sing your own songs. You have to be able to name the world.”

Let’s uplift each other through the power of poetry. Together, we will read, share, and listen, finding comfort and connection in the words of others. Words matter, now more than ever.

Who is “us”?  Camille Bernstein & Steve Sherlock will host this event.

Questions? Email Camille camillenapierbernstein@gmail.com

Kathleen & Norman talk about their development of the forthcoming performance of "The Belle of Amherst" by William Luce (audio)

FM #1293 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1293 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Kathleen Mary Mulligan, Actor and Producer, and Norman Johnson, Director. We had our conversation virtually via Zoom on Monday, Oct 14, 2024. We talked about their roles in the forthcoming production of “The Belle of Amherst” by William Luce. The play will be performed on Saturday, Oct 26 at the First Universalist Society in Franklin.

During the discussion we find out about a connection between Emily Dickinson and Beirut, Lebanon, where a series of performances of “The Belle of Amherst” were interrupted by the uprising in October, 2019. 

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1293-belle-of-amherst-promo-10-14-24/

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Wikipedia entry for the play -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Belle_of_Amherst 

FUSF link for tickets -> https://fusf.org/2024/08/22/the-belle-of-amherst/ 

Kathleen’s profile page at Ithaca College -> https://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/kmulligan 

Norman’s profile page at Ithaca -> https://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/njohnson 

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

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!

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

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

Kathleen Mary Mulligan, Actor and Producer

As you visit a park (or two) this summer, try this writing prompt

writing prompt

"U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s signature project, “You Are Here,” includes an open invitation from the public to participate. 

It’s simple: What would you write in response to the landscape around you?
 
The prompt is featured on picnic tables to be revealed at seven national parks (listed below) throughout the year. But you don’t have to be at a national park to respond! 

Seek out a natural space wherever you happen to be, and write. Share it on social media if you feel called to, using the hashtag #YouAreHerePoetry."
 
@capecodnps
@mountrainiernps
@redwoodnps
@cuyahogavalleynps
@greatsmokynps
@evergladesnps
@saguaronationalpark

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C90HsZKSvCU/

Additional info about Ada Limon's project can be found online ->

https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/u.s.-poet-laureate-ada-lim-n-to-publish-anthology--bring-poetry-to-national-parks-as-part-of-signatu/s/daf3ca32-cdff-49e0-9109-c2d9ba66c3b1