Franklin Cultural District: Announces the Investment Fund Grant Awards

January 2, 2025

Volume 5, January 2, 2025 Congratulations! Cultural District Investment Fund Grants Awarded In fall, 2024, the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded the Franklin Cultural District Committee a $15,000 Cultural District Investment Grant. This grant, one of several awarded to state-sponsored cultural districts, is intended to infuse new arts and culture activities and to attract creative businesses to the cultural districts. The Franklin Cultural District Committee voted to reserve a portion of the grant funds for FCDC-directed work and offer the remainder, in the form of grants,  to Franklin arts and culture organizations.  The Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) is honored to announce the grants made possible by MCC Cultural District Investment Grant funds. The FCDC, in concert with the Town of Franklin Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, offers its sincere congratulations to all who received a grant. The FCDC looks forward to seeing these grant-funded initiatives come to life through performances, events, and more. The FCDC gratefully acknowledges the MCC and its generous grant that made these local grants possible, appreciates the leadership of the Franklin Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, and recognizes the continued support of the Town of Franklin. Below, please find a list of funded grants and a link to the organizations' websites. Some of these events will take place in the late spring or early summer. As a result, information pertaining to the grant-funded activity may not appear on the website until closer to the date. However, many of the organizations have other events and activities that may be of interest at this time. FY25 Cultural District Grant Awards Franklin Art Association: To contribute toward the cost of "Fakes and Forgeries" event during June 2025. ($400) Children's Museum of Franklin: To add a mural to the back wall of the Museum, currently under construction. The mural will be created by a local artist. ($600) Select Museum to learn more. Franklin Farmers Market: To provide entertainment at the Franklin Farmers Market during June 2025. ($1,100) Select Market for information.  Franklin Historical Commission: A second and expanded presentation of "A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language. " This month-long presentation celebrates the life and many contributions of Franklin's namesake, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Select Ben for event information. ($1,100) The Ben activities begin Saturday, January 4 at the Historical Museum. Franklin LGBTQ Alliance: To subsidize a small portion of the costs associated with the June Celebrate with Pride festival. ($1,030) Select LGBTQ for information about this organization. Franklin Performing Arts Company: To subsidize a small portion of the costs associated with the June 6 – 8, 2025 performance of Little Women at THE BLACK BOX.($1,100) Select FPAC for ticketing and performance information. Franklin Public Library: A concert by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra, April 2025. ($750) A concert by the Blackstone Valley String Quartet, performing the music of Taylor Swift. ($600) Select Library for event information. Franklin Public Schools, JFK and Parmenter Elementary Schools: To bring music, dance, the arts and more cultural diversity to JF Kennedy and Parmenter Schools (where Ms. MacMurray is the music faculty member). ($1,000) Select FPS Music for more information.  Franklin Public Schools Music Department, and the Franklin Public Schools: To contribute toward the purchase of needed quality string instruments to rebuild and strengthen middle school string program. ($2,120) Select FPS Music for more information.  In addition to the funds associated with these ten grants, the FCDC reserved $5,200 to fund three projects to be overseen by the FCDC. The committee-directed projects are: Porchfest 2025, to contribute to the cost of the Porchfest website, police detail and insurance. ($3,500) Artsy Boxes, to provide for maintenance of the artwork of current Artsy Boxes. ($1,200) Collaborative Musicians, to compensate musicians performing at community events. ($500) Information about these and other and Culture happenings is shared weekly in the Cultural District Newsletter. Partnering with Franklin Matters @https://www.franklinmatters.org sharing information about what matters in Franklin. Visit Franklin Matters for Franklin information. Franklin Cultural District Committee Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho, Pandora Carlucci, Sue Cass, Patrick Conlan, John LoPresti, Roberta Trahan Next meeting: January 9, 2025 at 7:00pm at Franklin Senior Center

Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

FHS gymnastics falls to Foxboro; boys hockey drops second game to Canton (video) on Sunday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Sunday, January 5, 2025 

Boys Hockey = Canton, 6 @ Franklin, 1 - Final

Franklin TV video on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNPNz5oy6g

Gymnastics =  Franklin, 124.70 @ Foxboro, 132.25 – Final

via 

@fhs_gymnastics

   https://x.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1875975632804549067

"Fun battle between the 2 FHS teams. Franklin put up their best score and definitely had their strongest meet so far. Franklin fell short to Foxboro 132.25 to 124.7. Super proud of the adjustments the team made and looking forward to progressing as we only have 1 practice before our first home meet vs Canton.

Highlights on each event:  

Vault - leading the charge is AA Senior Captain Molly Chandler with an 8.8, Ciara O'Brien with an 8.55, AA Veronica Pimentel continues to be consistent with an 8.3 and first year Sophomore Chrissy debuted on vault with a solid 8.1 with her score counting towards the team score. 

Bars - Kendra Love lead the charge in this event with a 7.5 and AA Veronica, Ciara and, making a come back, was Abby Robillard all contributing to our team score. 

Beam - Kendra also lead on beam with an 8.25 and Chrissy following up with a 7.4. Both Abby and Molly tied with a 7.15. 

Floor - Kendra killed it on floor today putting her best routine down with an 8.9, Molly putting down a solid 8.5, Ciara with an 8.25 and. Veronica with an 8.2. 

Such a big improvement from our last meet. The team put down very clean routines and we are very proud of them."

Gymnastics =  Franklin, 124.70 @ Foxboro, 132.25 – Final

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)   https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-01-05-25/

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

Senior Center event highlights for week of Jan 6, 2025

Senior Center event highlights for week of Jan 6, 2025

"New Year New You! 

Come in and try a new class or activity. 

Make a new friend. 

Try something new! 

Here’s what’s happening this week at the #franklinseniorcenter

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEcwn6mxAMc/

Check the Franklin Senior Center page for additional info on these events

https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

You can also listen to Sarah & and Ariel talk with me about all the events happening during January ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/sarah-ariel-join-me-in-reviewing-senior.html

Body Fit Training (BFT) Franklin coming soon to Franklin Village

BFT Franklin coming soon to Franklin Village

"We’ve Saved our Best Perk for Last! 💥

Secure our ✨LOWEST PRICE EVER ✨and keep it for as long as you’re a member with us!

Our Founding Membership Launch is just days away! Be ready to secure your spot and unlock these exclusive perks! Don’t miss out!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DEU1S9WueHR/

Get more information about BFT Franklin ->   https://www.bodyfittraining.com/location/franklin-village

Franklin Youth Softball registration opens for Spring 2025

registration open for Spring 2025

Haven’t registered yet? Head to www.fgsafastpitch.org and click on “Register” in the top right corner to get started. 

Hurry - registration closes Sunday, January 26th (for all divisions except Instructional, which closes February 9th)

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DEVSBZ8SLY7/

Get your tickets for "Wit & Wisdom: volume 1" at Pour Richard's - Jan 16

"When George becomes Giorgio... You know we are back. Thursday Jan 16, 6:30 PM. We're building George and YOU a new classroom in the back of the shop.

Wit & Wisdom: volume 1

10 Wines, flights from Tuscany, Piedmont and beyond.

Send us a DM or swing by the shop to reserve your spot. $25/Ticket, 15 Available. That $25 goes straight onto your new Insiders Card as a voucher that you can redeem that evening.

Let's kick this year off in style. Much more to come."

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

Children's Museum fund raiser @ Chipotle Jan 7

Children's Museum fund raiser @ Chipotle Jan 7

 

"Meal planning for the week? Consider Tuesdays dinner plans set!

Show this flyer at Chipotle in Franklin or use the online order code and 25% goes to Children’s Museum of Franklin! 

Any easy way to “do good” for dinner"

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

Boston Globe: "Higher Social Security payments coming for millions of people from bill that Biden signed"

"President Joe Biden on Sunday signed into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees, affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and in other public service jobs.

Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.

Social Security Fairness Act

The bill rescinds two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset — that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government.

“The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their life to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity — that’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system,” Biden said during a signing ceremony in the White House East Room."

Continue reading the Globe article (subscription maybe required) -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/05/business/higher-social-security-payments/

Note: my wife and I stand to benefit from this change. She had worked in the private sector before spending 20+ years teaching in the Franklin School System. 

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Monday, Jan 6, 2024

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

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM - Frank’s Music – with Frank Falvey

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

7:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: James McLaughlin

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

9:00 am FPAC: The Nutcracker 2024

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Salmon

1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8

4:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Twisted Sisters

5:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Jim Derick

8:00 pm Circle of Friends: Heather Pierson Trio

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

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v Taunton 01-03-25

10:30 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

12:00 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

1:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

3:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

7:30 pm SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini

8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Newburyport 12-31-24

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

8:00 am Planning Board 12-16-24

12:00 pm Economic Development 12-18-24

2:00 pm Planning Board 12-16-24

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

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