Tri-County Stellar Engineering Students Excel in NASA HUNCH Competition and Head to Johnson Space Center

Each year, engineering students, guided by their dedicated instructor Kristen Magas, participate in the prestigious NASA HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware)  Program. This program inspires and empowers high school students through a hands-on, Project-Based Learning approach, equipping them with 21st-century skills and real-world experience in designing and fabricating products for NASA.

This year, twenty-four engineering juniors showcased their talents at the Northeast Regional HUNCH Critical Design Review held at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Presenting their final designs and prototypes to NASA representatives and industry professionals, four of our student teams earned the distinction of being selected as finalists. These exceptional teams have been invited to the HUNCH Final Showcase at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas in April.

During their time in Houston, students will tour the JSC Mission Control Center and the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, guided by Tri-County engineering alumnus and current International Space Station flight controller, Ethan Mace. Additionally, they hope to visit the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility, where their instructor, Kristen Magas, served as an analog astronaut during a simulated Mars mission this past fall.

Tri-County Stellar Engineering Students Excel in
NASA HUNCH Competition and Head to Johnson Space Center

These engineering students have worked diligently since September to refine their prototypes and implement the engineering design process. They also sought funding from the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium, successfully securing grant money to support their travels. Last week, the student groups proudly presented their innovative products to parents and peers, showcasing their expertise, dedication, and creativity.

The students heading to Houston to showcase their projects in the Health & Biomedical Science areas are Sophie Anderson, Colleen Layton, and Rebecca Hall (biodegradable packaging of medications project); Vincenzo Gaybor, Michael Love, Amy Manzanarez, and Adison Sobczak (mental health in space project); Rhys Beck and Bernardo Martinez de Freitas (medical inventory with facial recognition project).

The students heading to Houston to showcase their projects in the Design & Prototyping areas are Riley Heney, Nathan O'Connell, and Kyleigh Weddeke (lunar landing legs project).

This remarkable journey highlights the hard work and achievements of our engineering students and their bright futures in the STEM field.

 

Shared from TCRVTHS -> https://www.tri-county.us/article/2093302

Charter School shares news from the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) Regional Science Fair

via Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School: 

"We are excited to share details the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) regional science fair. Congratulations to the following BFCCPS students in Grades 7 and 8 for their outstanding achievements this year. Many thanks to Mrs Nestor and Mr Rutt for their support!

Our students will next participate in the MSEF State Fair on May 10th!

Charter School shares news (photo courtesty Charter School)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Nominees: Navya Satishkumar

CABOT Corporation Grand Prize: Navya SatishKumar

Tom Cahill Award: Chittesh Patel

Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Nominees: Chittesh Patel

Aparna Naravane Memorial Award: Aagam Shah, Anagha Balagurumoorthy

First place in Middle School: Chittesh Patel

Second place in Middle School: Aisiri Praveen, Aagam Shah

Third Place in Middle School Division: Anagha Balagurumoorthy, Romir Iyer"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/12FRRHNNvv7/

Exploring Italian Wines With Ciro - March 27 at vFranklin Liquors Wine Room

Exploring Italian Wines With Ciro

Date: March 27th Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM 

Location: Franklin Liquors Wine Room

Join us for an exclusive, sit-down wine tasting and educational event featuring the renowned Ciro Pirone from PSP Wines. Ciro, a frequent and beloved guest host, will lead us on a delightful journey through the diverse and exquisite wines of Italy.

We'll be exploring:

• Sparkling wine from the Veneto region
• Rich and robust Tuscan reds
• The prestigious "King of Wines" from Piedmont

Ciro's expertise and passion for Italian wines are unmatched, making this an evening you won't want to miss. Come and experience the beauty and complexity of Italian wines with fellow enthusiasts.

Exploring Italian Wines With Ciro - March 27

RSVP Required

https://www.meetup.com/franklin-wine-club/events/306624746/?

About Ciro:

Ciro Pirone, VP of business development PSP Wines, Former Director of Italian Wines for Horizon Beverage Company, is a graduate of the Istituto Alberghiero (Hotel and Restaurant Management school) of Salerno, Italy and a Vinitaly Wine Ambassador (Vinitaly Wine Academy). Traveling and working in Italy, England and the US, Ciro developed an incredible passion for wine, food and culture. After all, growing up in Italy, wine was always a very important part of his family’s lifestyle and traditions

In 1999, Ciro moved to the US permanently. He landed in Boston, where he continued his wine studies at Boston University, the International Sommelier Guild, the London –based Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (WSET), as well as he completed and passed with Honors the Italian Wine Specialist Certification by the North American Sommelier Association (part of the worldwide recognized Italian Sommelier Association). In June of 2017 (and again in 2019) he completed the Vinitaly Wine Academy and received the prestigious Vinitaly Wine Ambassador certification. 

In 2019 also passed with Honors the Italian Wine Scholar program by the Wine Scholar Guild. In 2007, Ciro accepted the position of Italian Wine Specialist for Horizon Beverage. After successful growth at HBC, Ciro accepted on a new challenge as the US Brand Manager for the Arnaldo Caprai Winery of Montefalco (Umbria), the top producer of worldwide recognized Sagrantino di Montefalco. In June 2011, Ciro returned to Horizon Beverage with a new position of Director of Italian Wines in support of their expanding presence in the New England marketplace. 

Ciro is happy to share his passion for Italian wine and culture in an effort to give the American wine consumer a better understanding and appreciation for Italian wine!

About The Franklin Wine Club Founder:

Mark C Lenzi CSW,CSS,CWAS,FWS,IWS*,SWS,IWM owner of Franklin Liquors

• Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) And Spirits( (CSS) by the Society of Wine Educators. 
• California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) by the San Francisco Wine School. (First In MA)
• French Wine Scholar(FWS)/instructor, Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS), And Italian Wine Scholar (IWS*) by the Wine Scholar Guil
• Italian Wine Specialist (IWS*) by the North American Sommelier Association. 
• Oregon Wine Expert (OWE) by the Napa Valley Wine Academy,
• Italian Wine Maestro (IWM) by the Vinitaly International (First USA Class)
• Co Host-Podcast/Radio Show The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW)
• Founder-The Franklin Wine Club

Fix your flapper

Via DPW Water & Sewer Division 

Fix your flapper

"Household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water per year on average, or the amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry!  

For Fix a Leak Week we will be posting five simple steps for five minutes per day to save water all year long!  

If you have questions about your usage, go to https://franklinma.watersmart.com/ to find your answers!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1GVYzk7BUq/

MMA: "House OK’s bill to extend remote and hybrid meeting authorizations"

"The House today (3/17/25) passed a bill that would extend the authorizations for local boards and committees to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format for more than two more years.

The bill, H. 62, would also extend the remote meeting option for representative town meetings and permit reduced quorums for open town meetings. The extensions would run through June 30, 2027.

In a prepared statement, Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate and House have reached agreement on the bill and that her chamber will take it up on Thursday."

Continue to read the article online -> https://www.mma.org/house-oks-bill-to-extend-remote-and-hybrid-meeting-authorizations/

The legislation can be found ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H62

a Franklin Town Council meeting from Dec 2024 with Zoom as the basis for the Franklin TV broadcast

Cultural arts a key force for our economy

Via the Mass Cultural Council 

On Monday, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt and Senior Director of Public Affairs Bethann Steiner testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways & Means in support of the Agency’s $28 million funding request for Fiscal Year 2026.

The hearing, which was held in Gloucester City Hall and chaired by Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Senator Jake Oliveria, was focused on the Governor’s H. 1 budget recommendations for various economic development focused secretaries, state agencies, boards, and commissions, such as the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Mass Cultural Council, Mass Board of Library Commissioners, Commission on the Status of Women, and the Cannabis Control Commission.

During their presentation, Mass Cultural Council’s representatives outlined the reasons for the Agency’s $28 million request and were available to respond to questions from the Committee members. Once the Committee completes its schedule of hearings, the House Committee on Ways and Means will release its spending plan for debate in April, followed by the Senate budget debate in May. FY26 begins on July 1, 2025.

Related to this action:

"Artists and cultural organizations fuel our economy, communities, and identities as a vital health and human service—yet too many are barely getting by.

Today Mass Cultural Council released the 2024 Massachusetts Cultural Asset Inventory. This comprehensive project, developed in collaboration with Diversity North Group, identifies and documents thousands of cultural organizations, programs, and individuals contributing to the state’s vibrant cultural landscape.

The Cultural Asset Inventory provides a wealth of information that will be instrumental in informing future cultural policies, programs, and initiatives. Its key findings are outlined in the Agency’s press release and detailed in a Summary Report, and County Fact Sheets."

Continue reading the article -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/this-is-a-wake-up-call/

Press release on Fact Sheets -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/2024-cultural-asset-inventory-reveals-key-insights/

Final report on Asset Inventory -> https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Final_Report.pdf  or  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHBMogmqINexnjd7zdyK1-xI_dXIT3VZ/view?usp=drive_link

Norfolk County summary ->   https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/2024_MA_Cultural_Asset_Inventory_Norfolk_1pager.pdf  or 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13oWWJ3CqvQ9DHkvrzcfXyLvqWE5TNda3/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Franklin Public Radio is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm and in the local Franklin, MA area FM radio dial at 102.9

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM   Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock 

Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 2 PM)  

This segment features the my conversation the Community Conversation about Art Pharmacy held at THE BLACK BOX last Wednesday

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/use-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bring.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.    (repeats Saturday at 1 PM)  

Mark & Kim talk conduct an Interview with Jim Spadaccini on the Immersive Wine Experiences: The Future of Tasting with Ideum

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

 

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, March 19, 2025

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

7:30 am Mental Health : Amanda Ayer & David Gove

8:30 am Millis Berfield Band

10:00 am Franklin Library Association: Role of the Library in American Democracy

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Meatballs

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 12

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1

5:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Padula Band

8:00 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

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

7:00 am FHS Winter Jazz 01-29-25

8:30 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:00 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Band

12:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Arlington 02-25-25

2:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Canton 02-05-25

5:00 pm Track and Field: v Taunton 05-18-21

8:30 pm Rec Basketball: 6th - 8th Grade Girls Championship 2025

9:30 pm Rec Basketball: 5th & 6th Grade Boys Championship 2025

11:00 pm Rec Basketball: 7th & 8th Grade Boys Championship 2025

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

8:00 am Town Council 03-05-25

2:00 pm Town Council 03-05-25

7:00 pm Town Council CHAMBERS  853 4467 7191

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

Senior Center Update for Opening March 19 (audio)

Sarah Amaral, Director, Franklin Senior Center with an update that the center will open on Wednesday, March 19.

The second floor will not be available so some programs/events will shift within the building.

Senior Center Update for Opening March 19 (audio)

Note: Franklin Q&A is scheduled for the second floor conf room, so we'll have to check the white board when we get there to find out where we'll be. We have moved about before so it shouldn't matter much. You'll still ahve questions, I'll strill have updates and answers

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1407-franklin-senior-center-update-for-openeing-3-19-25/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ???

Tuesday, March 18

* Dine out at Hot Table on March 18 to help the Music Boosters

* Senior Center Closed today, no events other than bus service

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Elton E Ekstrom (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events ->    

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

** Town Meetings today   **

Franklin School Committee - Negotiations - Executive Session

Tuesday, March 18th  Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_03182025-1585

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only) = Tuesday, March 18th Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182025-1610

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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

Fallen Hero Recognition: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army - March 18, 2025

Memorial event today (3/18/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army, was born on November 11, 1918 to August and Hannah Ekstrom. Elton lived with his parents, four sisters and three brothers at 417 Lincoln Street. 

Elton attended the Franklin Public Schools and for a number of years lived on Lincoln Street and maintained his residence there after his marriage to the former Arlene Beals. Elton and Arlene were the parents of two sons, Paul and Elton, Jr. Paul graduated from West Point and served two tours of duty as an army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Elton, Jr. also served in the army during the Vietnam War Era. 

PFC Elton E. Ekstrom served in the 87th Infantry Division of General Patton’s Third Army during the Rhine River crossing into Germany. Details of the Rhine River crossing as provided by Barbara Strang, 87th Infantry Division Historian, are as follows: “The assault boats of the 347th Battalion crossed the Rhine after midnight on March 25th. The Germans opened up with everything they had from the steep banks on the opposite side. Numerous boats were hit resulting in many casualties. Further assaults occurred at Rhens, Boppard, and Oberlahanstein.” 

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom was killed by machine gun fire on March 18, 1945 at age 26 while in combat crossing the Rhine River.

 --------------

For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

Fallen Hero: PFC Elton Ekstrom

The Joy of 12-Tone Music - March 30

Beyond Do, Re, Mi

We Will 'Scale New Heights’ of Musical Appreciation with TWO Franklin Music Educators as we discover …

The Joy of 12-Tone Music - March 30

The "joy" of 12-tone music, or dodecaphony, lies in its unique and challenging approach to musical structure, where all 12 notes of the chromatic scale are treated as equally important, leading to a potentially more complex soundscape. 

Learning about 12-tone music (also known as 12-tone technique or serialism) can offer a new perspective on how music can be organized and can help you develop your creativity across different musical languages as well as your appreciation of modern pop and classical music where 12-tone has been influential.

Using all 12 notes of the chromatic scale equally, avoids the traditional emphasis on a "home" key or tonal center.  Our guides are Franklin native, Randy LaRosa, a multi-instrumentalist who has played with many of the greats – even including Duke Ellington-- and took classes with 12-tone pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen. He will be joined by Jon Mitchell, a composer (including the Franklin-premiered Opera, Mary Anning: Fossilel Hunter) and retired conductor. Come to be amazed and entertained at this free event at the Franklin Historical Museum, on Sunday, March 30.  

The Museum is open 1-4, program starts at 1:15. 

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM (except as noted above) and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM. 

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.com

Franklin Public Schools Receives Grant to Further STEM Career Learning

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, High School Principal Dr. Maria Weber, and Franklin Middle School Principal Craig Williams are excited to announce Franklin Public Schools will expand its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development.

Franklin Public Schools have received additional grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from PLTW that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization providing a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers through computer science, engineering, and biomedical science coursework. With the PLTW curriculum, students apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Students worked their way through the design
process and created toys and games
for other students.
(Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Expanding the Project Lead The Way curriculum resources and instructional materials available to our teachers will strengthen our students’ STEM futures,” said Eric Stark, Franklin Public Schools Director of Curriculum STEM. “I am proud of the real-world connections students are making and the challenges they are tackling.”

Franklin joins more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students.

“We are thrilled to bring more high-quality applied learning opportunities to our students and look forward to the impact this expansion will have on our school community,” said Principal Williams.

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation, the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have supported expanding PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in biomedical science, engineering, and computer science provides students the skills to access opportunities in sectors that power the state economy.

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation.  “Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world.”

Franklin Middle School will use grant funds to expand its PLTW Gateway program. Specifically, students will experience Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, and Medical Detectives units.

In one class this year, students worked their way through the design process and created a toy or game for other students.

“To ensure these toys were not just another STEM project but truly functional for occupational therapy, I collaborated with the occupational therapists (OTs) from Annie Sullivan Middle School and Helen Keller Elementary School for feedback and guidance,” said STEM Teacher Emily Carens. “I had the privilege of delivering the completed projects to the Occupational Therapy (OT) room, and the OTs were beyond grateful and impressed by the creativity, effort, and thoughtfulness students put into their work. Students demonstrated empathy and problem-solving skills, creating toys that will make a real difference in their school community. PLTW helped make this possible by creating the curriculum to show students that they can make an impact on their community.”

Franklin High School will use grant funds to start its PLTW Biomedical Science program. Students may take Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems as part of its developing Innovation Career Pathway. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment for PLTW courses.

In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, Franklin Middle and High School will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Shared from -> https://41518511.hs-sites.com/franklin-receives-grant-to-further-stem-career-learning

SAFE Coalition Announces 3rd Annual Gala for May 8

SAFE Coalition has announced their 3rd Annual Gala for May 8, 2025, at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxborough. Titled “An Evening of Giving,” the event will raise funds to advance SAFE’s mission of offering compassionate, judgement-free support to those affected by substance use disorder and mental health challenges.  

Guests of SAFE’s gala will enjoy a gourmet dinner, live music, silent and live auctions, and inspirational guest speakers. 

3rd Annual Gala - May 8

Jake Haendel will be the keynote speaker, whose podcast Blink is currently at the top of the Apple Podcast charts. Haendel, a Boston native, struggled with substance misuse in early adulthood. He is the only known survivor of a rare brain disease that caused him to develop “locked-in syndrome,” a condition causing complete, coma-like body paralysis. 

Haendel will speak on risk factors for substance abuse, especially for adolescents, and how more needs to be done to ensure no one goes unsupported. 

“All kids are good kids,” he says, “and substance use disorder does not discriminate.” 

Struggles like depression, anxiety, and trauma affect all kids, regardless of background, he says. These stressors can result in harmful coping mechanisms regardless of a person’s outward appearance or perceived privileges.

Businesses and individuals across New England show their support of SAFE’s work to reduce stigma and raise awareness by sponsoring the gala, such as Direct Federal Credit Union, who secured a champion sponsorship for the 2025 gala.

“Direct Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting organizations like SAFE that make a difference in our community,” says Kristen Johnson, DCFU Senior Vice President, Employee & Brand Experience. “By combining our efforts in philanthropy, volunteerism, and financial literacy, we’re able to contribute to the long-lasting impact SAFE is having on individuals and families. We are honored to stand with SAFE in their mission to strengthen our community.”

SAFE serves over 50 communities in Massachusetts with programs for teens, support groups for loved one’s impacted by others’ substance use, harm reduction education, resources for families in need like a community diaper bank, housing support, and more. SAFE’s services are free to recipients and no insurance is needed.

SAFE began in 2015 after a community discussion on the increasing deaths from opioid use and what could be done to combat the rising epidemic. Today, the nonprofit works with first responders, local and state politicians, municipalities, schools, other nonprofits, and concerned citizens across southeastern Massachusetts to fill gaps in substance use prevention and education, harm reduction, recovery, and mental health support. 

“At the gala we bring together stakeholders, community partners, and members of the public, without whom we would not exist,” says SAFE Co-founder and Director of Family Recovery Jim Derick. “This event provides a platform to highlight our services and successes, report on impacts we have made, and chart our course for the year to come.”

Purchase tickets, secure a sponsorship, donate to the live and silent auctions, and learn more about SAFE’s work at www.safecoalitionma.org/2025-safe-gala

Learn more about SAFE Coalition at (508) 488-8105 or info@safecoalitionma.org

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery on Friday, March 28

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery on Friday, March 28, from 7–10 PM!

Grab a glass of wine, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sing your heart out. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just here for the fun, it’s always a night to remember!

Tag your crew and let’s make it a night full of music, wine, and good vibes!

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DHQ5Fk4x7GP/

Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Franklin Art Association Art Show
and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Exhibit Open: March 31 - April 25, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Hosted at the 

Norfolk Public Library 

139 Main Street

Norfolk MA

 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K7Pat-KCetHEHXNiWI7xEk-u7gNDddz9/view?usp=drive_link