Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Sunday, July 12, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, July 12, 2026 ???
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 ???
- Curbside trash/recycling pickup schedule delayed one day due to holiday; what was Monday will be picked up Tuesday
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| For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/ |
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| For additional details on Senior Center events -> |
Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting
Tuesday, May 26 Time: 1:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05262026-2335
Franklin School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 26 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05262026-2332
250th Anniversary Celebration Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, May 26 Time: 8:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05262026-2330
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Aging Boldfully: LiveStrong (video)
"Aging Boldfully is about living your next chapter outside of your comfort zone—fully embracing the uniqueness of you.
For many of us, the idea of aging doesn’t appear on our radar until we approach our 60s, when retirement begins to loom. During this time, our attention often narrows to one critical goal: ensuring financial independence. While that focus is important, it can distract us from an equally vital question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life?
Each of our journeys is unique. Rather than clinging to the tired concept of “retirement,” we have the chance to rethink and redesign this new chapter. What will life look like now that we are the CEO of our own story?
Aging Boldfully will explore the themes that matter most as we step into this phase—purpose, relevance, resilience, physical health, mental well-being, intentional living, and mindfulness. It will showcase members of our community who are finding meaning, living with purpose, and overcoming obstacles—real examples of what it means to age not just gracefully, but boldfully."
Monday, November 17, 2025
Second Annual Presentation of the Mary C. Morrissey Olsson Historic Preservation Award - Nov 15, 2025
The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM (except as noted above) and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786. Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.org
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Free lunch program for summertime on Tues-Weds-Thu at Bellingham Library
Additional no-cost lunch sites are at Memorial School in Milford (M, T, W, Th, and F from 11 AM to 12:30 PM), and the Jackson Elementary School in Plainville (T and Th, 12:15 to 1 PM).
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Free Summer Lunches for Youth Return to Local Communities
• Memorial Elementary School – Milford12 Walnut Street, Milford, MAMonday through Friday | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PMJune 23 – August 15
• Bellingham Public Library100 Blackstone Street, Bellingham, MATuesday, Wednesday, Thursday | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PMJune 24 – August 14
• Jackson Elementary School – Plainville68 Messenger Street, Plainville, MATuesdays & Thursdays | 12:15 PM – 1:00 PMJune 24 – August 14
(1) mail: U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410;(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.
Sunday, May 11, 2025
With Summer Around The Corner, Water Safety Should Be Top of Mind
Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
When children swim, ensure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.
If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer under water. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them, and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
Water safety isn’t just during swim time. Know the five layers of protection which include: barriers & alarms, supervision, water competency, life jackets and emergency preparation. You never know which layer will save a life.
Training in lifesaving skills such as lifeguarding and CPR presents opportunities for us all to take greater responsibility for ourselves and others. The Hockomock Area YMCA offers lifeguard and CPR training programs with full certification. We also babysitting courses and first aid training. The Hockomock Y is offering lifeguard certification courses. Visit www.hockymca.org and select Register for Programs.
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit www.hockymca.org/our-cause/
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Voices of Franklin: Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention
As part of our commitment to social responsibility to the communities we serve, the Hockomock Area YMCA, along with YMCAs throughout Massachusetts and across the nation will be sponsoring Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention, a campaign committed to raise awareness and inspire adults to take an active role to protect children from sexual abuse. Please visit one of our three branches to pledge to take action to protect kids all year long.
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| Five Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention |
While child protection is our Y’s number one priority every day, this critical campaign will run April 21st through April 25th as we approach summertime, and will shine a collective spotlight on how everyone can do something to prevent child sexual abuse.
Our Y will share information and resources each day to our members and community partners about how adults can prevent, recognize and respond to child sexual abuse situations to keep children safe.
Statistics from Praesidium and the CDC indicate that 1 in 20 boys and 1 in 4 girls in the United States are sexually abused, typically by someone they know and trust. Child sexual abuse is happening regardless of age, gender, race, religion or socio-economic class.
But these are not just numbers. Behind every number is a child, a child who has been robbed of their innocence. A child whose life will forever have been changed by the heinous act of an adult. We owe it to our children, and we owe it to their future, to do better.
Help us prevent child sexual abuse through Know, See, Respond. When adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention. Together we can bring awareness to the issue of child sexual abuse in our communities and have important conversations on how we can all work together to prevent it from happening. Please join our YMCA to spread important awareness and resources with your social networks and family and friends around this devastating epidemic.
Our YMCA is proud to partner and collaborate with school systems, municipalities and other human service organizations throughout our service area to help bring awareness, education and training regarding this issue. We remain committed to this collaborative cause and our effort to be part of a community-based prevention movement.
Our YMCA was awarded Praesidium Accreditation® in 2024 by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. To achieve accreditation, our Hockomock Area YMCA underwent a rigorous process to implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within our business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding, and administrative practices.
As responsible adults, we need to give children a happy, healthy and safe childhood. Our world needs them, and they need us. Let’s give them the childhood they deserve.
Jim Downs
CEO, Hockomock Area YMCA
Friday, April 18, 2025
Register NOW: SAFE / Hockomock YMCA 3rd Annual Charity Pickleball Tournament scheduled for May 17
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| SAFE / Hockomock YMCA 3rd Annual Charity Pickleball |
Sign up today -- your registration supports youth scholarships, summer camp, mental health and recovery services, and more for families across Franklin and beyond.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Flag Football Tournament centerpice of Franklin Fest hosted by Dean Students - April 6 (audio)
FM #1415 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1415 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Quinten Jones, originally from Winchester, VA and a senior at Dean College. We had our discussion in person in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Friday, March 21, 2025.
We cover
The course requirements to prepare and conduct an event
Flag football tournament chosen
Hockomock YMCA in Franklin to benefit from proceeds
Fun family day with food and other activities
The recording runs about 12 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1415-franklin-fest-centers-on-flag-football-tournament-03-21-25/
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As part of our Event Management & Operations class, we are tasked with planning and executing a successful event—and we’d love for you to be a part of it! All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Franklin YMCA!
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| Dean's Franklin Fest scheduled for April 6 |
Help us make this event a success—sign up or donate using the website link or QR codes on the flyer!
📅 April 6, 2025
⏰ 11 AM - 3 PM
📍 Longley Field, 69 Maple Street, Franklin, MA
🏈 Flag Football Tournament
🎯 Fun games like Spike Ball, Cornhole & Connect 4
🎟️ 50/50 Raffle & Giveaways
🍿 Concessions
For more information or any questions: https://franklinfest.wixsite.com/franklin-fest
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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. 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"
Monday, March 24, 2025
YMCA holding auditions for performance of "Rock of Ages"
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| auditions for performance of "Rock of Ages" |
Calling All Rock stars! Date: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (by appointment)
Location: Mansfield Arts & Education Center, 40 Balcom St, Mansfield, MA Contact Emily at emilyh@hockymca.org for more info or Sign up Now at https://qrcodes.pro/YNaDH9.












