Franklin Cultural District: Library events daily, labyrinth walk, & more lead to New Year as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, December 27

6:30am Trash-Recycle Pickup delayed 1 day this week

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt!  (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Music at the Blissful! A Fun Family Concert!  (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Buildwave Family Night!  (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, December 28

6:30am Trash-Recycle Pickup delayed 1 day this week

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt!  (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Interactive Puppet Storytime!  (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Open Mic Night (67 Degrees Brewing)

Friday, December 29

6:30am Trash-Recycle Pickup delayed 1 day this week

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt!  (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Noon Year's Eve Party!  (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Comedy Show (ticketed event) (3 Restaurant)

Train Town Franklin; Part 2

Saturday, December 30

6:30am Trash-Recycle Pickup delayed 1 day this week

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt! (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Train Town Franklin; Part 2 (Franklin Historical Museum)

Sunday, December 31 = New Year's Eve

5:00pm Labyrinth Walk (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

Monday, January 1, 2024 = New Year's Day

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV Studio)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

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

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 Library calendar of events ->    http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curMode=LOGOUT&curHelp=&woof&CFID=23662954&CFTOKEN=d411d9e119c07574-BBA36F88-D4AE-528A-5350C00C60ACA17E

The Senior Center calendar of events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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: Arts are happening here!

New Year’s Eve Labyrinth Walk at First Universalist Society in Franklin - Dec 31, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) — 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA — will host a New Year’s Eve Labyrinth Walk on Sunday, December 31, from 5 to 7 PM. 

This annual, free, event offers an opportunity to experience a candlelit labyrinth in our sanctuary. Finger labyrinths will be available for people who want to experience the labyrinth but have mobility issues. 

Labyrinths are found throughout the world with the oldest dating back thousands of years. In contemporary use, labyrinths provide an opportunity for personal reflection, spiritual practice, or the reduction of stress. Labyrinths are located in both public and private settings and vary in style. The FUSF indoor labyrinth is a Chartres Labyrinth. 

 

Please allow at least 30 minutes to walk the indoor labyrinth. Socks are required for the indoor walk.  Booties that cover footwear will be provided for those who need shoes to walk. 

Call Judy at 508-769-6664 for more information about the New Year’s Labyrinth event. In the event of a storm, or unsafe driving conditions, the walk will be canceled, and a notice will be posted to the FUSF Facebook page.  For more information about the First Universalist Society in Franklin please visit FUSF.org or call 508-528-5348.

New Year’s Eve Labyrinth Walk at First Universalist Society in Franklin - Dec 31, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is located at 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. For more information about either event or FUSF, please contact us at info@fusf.org or call 508-528-5348.  FUSF is a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation.

Mitzi Gousie shares insights on the January 2024 Franklin Public Library Program Highlights (audio)

FM #1119 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1119 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion at the Franklin TV Studios on Wednesday, December 19, 2023.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, and month ending holiday times

• Library events for January 2024

• All ages

• Kiddos, or “littles”

• Teens

• Adults

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 32 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1119-franklin-public-librarys-mitzi-gousie-talks-about-jan-2024-highlights-12-1923

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Event highlights we covered in this conversation

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/december-2023-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library 

Library Calendar of Events ->  http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm 

Volunteer tax assistance program info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/adult-programs-services/pages/volunteer-income-tax-assistance 

Jen Knight-Levine's update for the SAFE Coalition at the October 18, 2023 Town Council meeting  (audio) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/jen-knight-levine-updates-council-on.html 

Jen’s update to the Council in September 2023 on the work of the SAFE Coalition (video)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/recap-introduction-retirement-promotion.html 

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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 Public Library: News & Events for January 2024 (audio)

Reminder: FPAC to present Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star - Jan 5 - 7, 2024

 The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is excited to present the musical Bright Star January 5-7 at THE BLACK BOX. Featuring the Tony-nominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past.

 

(L-R) Ali Funkhouser, Robbie Rescigno, and Kyle Dalsimer

The production stars NYC actors Ali Funkhouser as Alice Murphy, Robbie Rescigno as Jimmy Ray, Kyle Dalsimer as Billy Cane, and University of Tampa Musical Theatre Junior Kelsey Breslin as Margo. Boston Conservatory Voice Professor Dan Callaway (The Phantom of the Opera) appears as Daddy Cane/Dr. Norquist. The cast also features Shenandoah Conservatory Musical Theatre student Tzintli Cerda as Lucy, NYC’s Brennan Stefanik as Daryl, and FPAC’s Nick Paone as Mayor Dobbs, Kellie Stamp as Mama Murphy, and Tim Ayres-Kerr as Stanford. 

Rounding out the cast are Emiliano Morales (NYC), Gia Chessa (Dean College), Blas Cerda (Ballet Teatro del Espacio, The National Classical Dance Company of Mexico, Ohio Ballet), Xochitl Tejeda-Cerda (Mexico National Ballet, Ohio Ballet), Takaaki Matsumoto (Boston), DJ Ormond (Boston), Julia Ormond (Dean College), Hannah Rezendes (Salve Regina University), and Lindsay Tomas (FPAC). Joining them are FPAC Student Apprentice performers from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Elena Baker, Hannah Connors, Devin Curley, Devin DeAngelis, and Mason Sanford. 

With beautiful Bluegrass melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds audiences tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. Directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer, with music direction by Hallie Wetzell, and choreography by Hannah Rezendes.

FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Ali Funkhouser, Robbie Rescigno, Kyle Dalsimer, and Dan Callaway are all members of Actors’ Equity. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local artists, and students of the arts. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming. 

Tickets for FPAC’s Bright Star and other shows are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370.

Franklin Faith Forum - WFPR: 034 - Lightness & Darkness (audio)

In this episode, Dr. Pandora Carlucci and Jay Horrigan are joined by Reverend Juncker, Reverend Oughton and Rabbi Alpert to talk about lightness and darkness, what the symbolism means in each respective faith, the story of Hanukkah, is darkness the absence of light? and much more.

If you would like to reach out with any questions, concerns or future discussion topics you can contact franklinfaithforum@gmail.com

You can keep up to date with the Franklin Interfaith Council here:   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinInterfaithCouncil

Audio link -> https://franklin-faith-forum.captivate.fm/episode/034-lightness-darkness

Franklin Faith Forum - WFPR

Bringing More Faith Into Your Day

Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Pastor Juncker, Reverend Oughton, and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their congregations and how listeners can embrace faith in their own lives.

Find all the episodes -> https://franklin-faith-forum.captivate.fm/

Franklin Faith Forum - WFPR

HockomockSports.com recognizes FHS' Cinelli, Cain, Scagliarini, O'Leary & Bositis for Boys Soccer awards for Fall 2023

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports awards for Franklin High School. 

Boys Soccer awards for Fall 2023

Player of the Year

"Franklin senior Rex Cinelli has been selected as the 2023 HockomockSports.com Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Cinelli anchored a terrific defensive unit for the Kelley-Rex division champion Panthers and provided key leadership both on and off of the field. A three-year starter at center back for legendary head coach Fran Bositis, Cinelli was a vital piece in leading Franklin to back-to-back league titles."

HockomockSports.com Best XI

• NOAH CAIN, FRANKLIN - Midfield
• REX CINELLI, FRANKLIN - Defense

HockomockSports.com Second XI

• Garrett Scagliarini – Franklin – Midfield
• Sean O’Leary – Franklin – Defense

Coach of Year

"Franklin head coach Fran Bositis has been selected as the 2023 HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year. Bositis led the Panthers to their second consecutive Kelley-Rex division title and an undefeated regular season."

For complete list and description of the awards, visit (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-soccer/2023-2/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Wednesday, Dec 27, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features  the DPW snow update to the School Committee meeting Dec 12, 2023 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/dpw-provides-snow-update-for-franklin.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer point.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi  talk about New Year's Bubbly ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode-253.html

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This session of the radio show shares a special year end episode combining "Talk Franklin'' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Deputy Administrator Amy Frigulietti and “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/talk-franklin-special-year-end-episode.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am     Mental Health: Amy Frigulietti

8:30 am     The Black Box: Tappy Christmas 2019

10:00 am     Celebrate with Pride: Second Son

11:30 am     Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm     Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm     Mrs. Claus Storytime

1:00 pm     Winter Wonderland 2023

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm     New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8

3:00 pm     Candlepin New Generation: Show 9

3:30 pm     Veterans' Call: John Milot

4:30 pm     FPAC Holiday Production: The Nutcracker

8:30 pm     Circle of Friends: Ellis Paul

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am     Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

8:30 am     Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

10:00 am     Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

11:00 am     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes October November

12:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Mansfield 12-20-23

2:30 pm     FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 05-29-21

4:00 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Canton 12-20-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 12-20-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee: 12-13-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 12-20-23

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

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for January 2024

January 2024 

Franklin Library News & Events

Library Hours
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 Sundays 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library will be closed December 31st and January 1^st & 15^th.

Franklin Public Library's 2024 Reading Challenge!
January Challenge: An author's debut book
Welcome to the Franklin Public Library's first Annual Reading Challenge! For each monthly prompt that you complete and submit on time you will receive a Free Book Coupon that's good at the library's Book Sale. Submissions MUST be submitted by the last day of each month in order to qualify for that month's Free Book Coupon. If you complete all 12 months (again, submissions must be received on time to qualify) you will be entered in to win one of multiple grand prizes! For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

New Year, New Library Catalog!
We are so excited about the brand new, super user-friendly catalog! Try it out yourself! Go to franklin.minlib.net, click on "sign in" (upper right of the page), and enter your library card and pin number, and start exploring, searching & requesting. We think you'll love it as much as we do!
Questions? Contact the library Reference Desk at 508-520-4941, x4525.

Creativebug announces their new accessibility widget
Creativebug, the online video arts & crafts database, now has a wide variety of screen optimizations for users of all abilities. Once you create an account and log in there will be a red button with a white stick figure in the lower left corner.  Click on that button to make your adjustments.  Find out more about the options available here.  Visit the library's Free Online Databases page to find Creativebug and all of the other great databases available for free through the library.

Museum Passes
Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, January 19th, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday January 20^th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 Fill A Bag, Saturday, January 20^th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can for only $5.00!

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!

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.

For the full set of January events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/january-2024-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for January 2024

Please consider a year end contribution to the Franklin Food Pantry

The Food Elves Campaign, which runs through mid-December, is usually The Pantry’s biggest fundraiser of the year, but we’re only at a little over 60% of our goal. 

Please consider making a donation before the end of the year and help us alleviate food insecurity in the Franklin Community. No donation is too small (or too big!)

Donate securely online ->  http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Fra.../FranklinFoodElves2023

Visit The Pantry gift page for other ways to contribute financially ->  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-gifts/

Consider a year end contribution to the Franklin Food Pantry

Disclosure: I am a contributor to the building campaign and a member of two subcommittees (Governance & Communications). The Food Pantry has long been among my top 3 financial contribution recipients.

HockomockSports.com recognizes FHS' Zub, O'Connor, Horton, Hammad, & Welch for Girls Soccer awards for Fall 2023

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports awards for Franklin High School. 

Girls Soccer awards for Fall 2023

HockomockSports.com Best XI

• Kelly O'Connor, Franklin - Forward
• Anya Zub, Franklin - Forward
• Maddie Horton, Franklin - Defense

HockomockSports.com Second XI

• Selene Hammad – Franklin – Midfield
• Rachel Welch – Franklin- Goalie

For complete list and description of the awards, visit

https://hockomocksports.com/awards/girls-soccer/2023-2/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 253: New Year's Bubbly (audio)

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 253. Exploring all things wine with you!

In this episode hosts Kim and Mark talk about New Year's Bubbly

To help you on New Year's Mark asks Kim many questions on bubbly.  Before you pop open a sparkling listen to the show for tips and tricks.

After listening you will gain knowledge and trivia facts on bubbly from all over the world.

We discuss many articles that talked about sparking and Kim gives her take to help.

Happy New Year

Cheers

Kim and Mark

Podcast link -> https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-253-all-things-sparkling-for-new-years

Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 253: New Year's Bubbly (audio)

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 253-All Things Sparkling For New Years