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 *
Monday, October 2, 2023
Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 247 - Crumbled Corks, Buying Cooking Wine (audio)
GOOD DEEDS: Finding Your Roots!
Franklin Library News & Events scheduled for October 2023
The Library's hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. The Library will be open on Sunday, October 8th but will be closed Monday, October 9th for Columbus / Indigenous People's Day
Library News – Book clubs through Libby and Hoopla!
Both Libby and Hoopla sponsor seasonal book clubs! During Libby's Big Library Read, both the ebook and audiobook are always available, so no need to place a hold. In addition, the Digital Public Library of America, with help from the Palace Project is offering The Banned Book Club. The Banned Book Club makes e-book versions of banned books available to readers in locations across the United States where title have been banned. The e-books will be available to readers for free via the Palace e-reader app. Find links to all of these book clubs here: https://www.franklinma.gov/adult-programs-services
Featured Database
Diving-test.org
Access free Massachusetts RMV car, motorcycle, and commercial driver's license practice tests and handbooks. Includes the Massachusetts Driver's Handbook (in English & Spanish). Driving-test.org is available to Franklin residents only through our alphabetical list of free online databases: https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/free-online-databases
Museum Passes
Reserve discount passes for our area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.
New Materials
Check out the latest additions to the library's collection!
Book Sale
Franklin Library Book Sale
Franklin Library Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, October 21st, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program
Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly. No prior teaching experience needed! Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library's website.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
In our second year of providing free tax preparation assistance through the VITA IRS program the Franklin Public Library is looking for volunteers! While tax season starts in February; planning, training, and scheduling can begin today! To sign up or to find more information please email Site Coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net!
Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge
October: A Best Seller from the year you turned 18
Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next. If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered. Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge
From Friends of the Franklin Library
The Friends were delighted to support the recent author night featuring award-winning author, Emily Franklin. Ms. Franklin's novel, The Lioness of Boston, tells the deeply evocative story of the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created an inimitable legacy in American art and transformed the city of Boston itself. There was a great turnout for this event, with the option for the audience to participate either in person or online. Ms. Franklin, participating online, read aloud from her novel, spoke about her inspiration and research for this novel, and was available to answer everyone's questions. If you are looking for your next new read, the Friends highly recommend The Lioness of Boston. And if you want to combine your reading with a fun field trip, sign up for one of the Library's discounted passes to the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum in Boston.
For the complete newsletter for October 2023 follow this link -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/october-2023-franklin-library-news-events
The MBTA's new fall/winter schedule in effect as of Today, Oct 2, 2023
The new Fall/Winter schedule is now in effect on all Commuter Rail Lines with extended late-night service and added peak service on select lines.Check out your new Franklin schedule before you ride with us:https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
The MBTA's new fall/winter schedule in effect as of Today, Oct 2, 2023 |
NASA Sun & Space announce new interactive tool: The Eclipse Explorer
"Hot news!
NASA has unveiled an exciting new tool: the Eclipse Explorer. It's an interactive map that has layers of features to explore the upcoming annular solar eclipse.
Try it out and toggle your way into the solar eclipse!
Investigate here: https://t.co/VHGqlveUhu"
Shared from -> https://t.co/Is9R5v3HVg
NASA Sun & Space announce new interactive tool: The Eclipse Explorer |
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services: fire prevention week Oct 1 to Oct 7
"Thank you to @massgovernor for designating Oct. 1-7 as #FirePreventionWeek!
This year's theme is "Cooking Safety Starts with You: Pay Attention to Fire Prevention."
#DYK unsafe cooking is the #1 cause of fires & fire injuries in Massachusetts?
Learn more: https://t.co/JfkssyJRmZ"
Shared from -> https://t.co/sdVikdG1ph
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services: fire prevention week Oct 1 to Oct 7 |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Oct 2, 2023
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
Sunday, October 1, 2023
LiveARTS Concert Series expands by collaborating with Chaminade Club of Attleboro & Schubert Club of Providence
Good weather set for Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM
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Good weather set for Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM |
Maybe you can help the Franklin Meals on Wheels office by calling to volunteer
The Franklin Meals on Wheels office needs volunteers!
We have both onsite positions & delivery driver positions, all with very flexible, morning shifts. Volunteer drivers receive $0.56 per mile with a stipend. Franklin Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals to in-need, homebound seniors in Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone & Medway.
If you are interested in helping out or want further info please call Jeanne at 508.520.1422 on Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM
Superintendent Giguere talks about the improvement plans, budget work, the Thanksgiving game, and fan behavior (audio)
FM #1069 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1069 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin Municipal Bldg on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
At a high level our topics were:
School improvement plans
Future session with Dr Tina Rogers
Learning styles
Budget work started at meeting before the School Cmte
Future session with Dr Dutch
Update on Thanksgiving game at Fenway and reminder on good sporting behavior
The recording runs about 33 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with our school superintendent, Lucas Giguere. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1069-fps-superintendent-lucas-giguere-09-27-23
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Superintendent’s page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent
School budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget
District Communications -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/district-communications-2023-2024
Fan expectation reminder -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/9_26_23_fan_expectations_reminder_to_families.pdf
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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
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"
Franklin (MA) Senior Connection Newsletter for October 2023
Franklin Public School lunch improvements to highlight
Via the Franklin Public School's Facebook page, we share a couple of recent posts to highlight how creative the delivery of school lunch can be within the budget. Delivering healthy, locally sourced, and cost effective meals to students.
"Don't mind us, we're just reminiscing on last week's delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice. Our Food Services team sources beef locally to ensure the highest quality is available to our students. This steak was sourced from MeatWorks out of Westport, MA.The farms were Twin Willow Farm (Westport, MA), Howard’s Farm (West Bridgewater, MA), and Sunny Knoll Farm (Westminster, MA)"
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delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice |
"The Food Service team does it again! Yesterday’s lunch at every school featured local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA. The fisherman was Captain Scott MacAllister on his boat, the Carol Marie fishing vessel. Thank you Red’s Best for the great traceability!You can read more about Captain Macallister in this article: https://capecodfishermen.org/a-young-man-carving-out-a.../"
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local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA |
Franklin TV: A Crisis of Our Time
And – as always –Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.And, thank you for watching.
Sign up for the Kids Flu Clinic - Oct 11
Kids Flu Clinic
October 11, 2023, 3:00-6:00pm
To register -> https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin?site=kids-flu-clinic-2023
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To register -> https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin?site=kids-flu-clinic-2023 |
Census data for MA by county and age for homeownership vs rental
"The U.S. Census Bureau released an interactive map illustrating 2020 Census data about homeownership by the age, race and ethnicity of the householder. The map provides data at the national, state and county levels and data from the 2010 Census for comparison.
The Census Bureau also released the brief Housing Characteristics: 2020, which provides an overview of homeownership, renters, vacant housing and other 2020 Census housing statistics previously released through the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC)."
Continue reading the press release -> https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/2020-census-map-homeownership.html
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homeownership vs rental for MA at State level |
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homeownership vs rental for MA at County level |
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homeownership vs rental for MA at County level by Age |