Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee -> Monthly Meeting - May 13, 7 PM

Meeting Tuesday night at Franklin.TV. We'd love to see you there

View this email in your browser May Monthly Meeting Hello!   Tuesday night we will have our monthly meeting at Franklin.TV, 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin at 7 PM.  We'd love to see you there! The minutes from our previous meeting can be found here on our web site. The agenda for this month's meeting is here.   Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Copyright © 2025 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Yes, Franklin - There is a NEW parade route for the annual Memorial Day Parade

New Memorial Day Parade Route

We have a NEW PARADE ROUTE!

As the Commander of the Franklin VFW Post I have the honor as serving as Co-Chair of the Parade Committee with my friend Dick Hynes, Commander of the Franklin American Legion.

The whole group has been working hard the last couple of months to plan the parade and one of the things we're doing is a new parade route.

The parade will kick off from Horace Mann Middle School at 11am on Monday, May 26th. It will head up Oak St (which turns into Daniel McCahill St) and then proceed down Union St to the old Davis Thayer school. The Parade will then turn left onto 140. The parade will again turn left onto Emmons St and then a left onto Main where it will head back to the Town Common.

This is a shorter route at 1.33 miles.

The parade will be continuous, there are no stops at the cemeteries or Dean College anymore (we are still doing those ceremonies, just moving them to before the parade).

We feel this new route will make it easier for our older veterans to march and smoother for the PD to accomodate.

Please see the attached map.

Please hit me with your questions, comments, complaints, etc.

We look forward to seeing you on the NEW PARADE ROUTE!

Listen to Scott Carruthers & Dick Hynes talk about the parade route changes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/dick-scott-talk-about-changes-to-2025.html

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

Library Youth Service Events for kiddos for the week of May 12

Check out all the fun happenings for kids, teens, and families this week at the Franklin Public Library!

Library Youth Service Events for kiddos for the week of May 12

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DJhA-2eRmNh/?

Kennedy PCC Fundraising at Sane Fe Burrito Grill on Thursday, May 15

Please bring the flyer, or mention "Kennedy PCC" when ordering.

If ordering online, put "Kennedy PCC" in the "Special Request" section for each item.

Kennedy PCC Fundraising at Sane Fe Burrito Grill on Thursday, May 15

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/FranklinParents/posts/3091369491013346/

wbur: How little Franklin, Mass. opened America's first public library (audio)

"Massachusetts is drenched in history. You can't go much of anywhere in the commonwealth without running into America's first something or other.

But not all firsts are created equal. Some are endowed with better backstories. To wit: the Norfolk County town of Franklin is home to America's first public library.

And who donated the original set of dozens of books that gave the Franklin Public Library its start in 1790? With many of said vintage volumes still preserved in a glass and wood display case in the library, waiting for you to pay a visit?

None other than Benjamin Franklin."

Continue reading -> https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/05/09/first-public-library-america-franklin-massachusetts

Books donated by Benjamin Franklin, on display in the Franklin Public Library. (Sharon Brody/WBUR)

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio

Tuesday

SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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

 

7:30 am Joe Landry: The Railroad in Franklin

9:00 am Mental Health: Joanne Spillane

10:00 am Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 1

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken Pot Pie

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 4

3:30 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

5:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

6:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rod & Gun Club

8:00 pm Metrowest Boston Annual Meeting 2025 Pt 2

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

 

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22

8:30 am Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Band and Glee

11:30 am Mental Health: Joanne Spillane

12:30 pm Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Strings School

2:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v North Attleboro 05-07-25

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

5:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Walpole 04-22-25

9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Legally Blonde

 

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

8:00 am School Committee 04-29-25

12:00 pm Finance Committee 04-29-25

2:00 pm School Committee 04-29-25

7:00 pm School Committee  CHAMBERS  839 42525943  Passcode 113578

 

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 12, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Monday, May 12

4:00pm Housing Authority Ceremony (P Brunelli recognition) (Franklin Housing Authority)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**   Town Meetings today   **

 

Recreation Advisory Board Agenda

May 12, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122025-1713

Planning Board Meeting

May 12, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05122025-1727 

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

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 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-calendar

FPAC Launches Partnership with Rodman for Kids

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new partnership with Rodman for Kids. FPAC, Franklin’s professional theater company, will partner with Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program which breaks down barriers to make the performing arts accessible for all kids, regardless of socioeconomic background or ability, introducing them to new dreams and life-changing experiences. 

FPAC Launches Partnership
with Rodman for Kids

Rodman for Kids will fill an entire house of a matinee performance of Little Women the Broadway Musical at FPAC on June 7, 2025.

Following this special performance of Little Women, there will be a talkback with the cast and creative team giving the young audience a chance to ask questions and learn about the process of putting on a professional musical. After the talkback, the kids will go next door to the Franklin School for the Performing Arts to play theater games with members of the Little Women cast. 

Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program makes the performing arts accessible, giving every child the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the performing arts. In the kids’ own words, Theatre for Kids experiences are “mind blowing.” "This partnership with FPAC is tremendously exciting as we look to deepen our engagement with our kids. The access to talkbacks, workshops, and other opportunities to make the magic of theatre tangible and accessible makes this such a powerful collaboration. We are thrilled to be bringing our youth to FPAC for Little Women, and look forward to exciting additional collaborations in the future,” comments Theatre for Kids Program Manager Bill Stiles. 

Rodman for Kids is breaking down barriers to provide access so that every child can develop their own relationship with performing arts and realize that all are welcome in this space. The program is on a mission to enrich its 100,000th kid with access to the theatre in 2025.

FPAC’s Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer remarks, “We look forward to growing this collaboration with Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids and helping this fantastic program meet its short and long term goals. Little Women is a wonderful show with which to initiate our partnership!”

Little Women closes FPAC’s 2024-25 season running June 6-8 at THE BLACK BOX. The production is directed by NYC’s Ali Funkhouser with music direction by FPAC’s Resident Music Director Hallie Wetzell and features a cast of 15 actors from NYC, Boston, Providence, and beyond. Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. 

Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing an experience filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache, and hope – the sounds of a young America finding its voice. FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local artists, and students of the arts. 

Franklin Performing Arts Company is based at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA. For more information on FPAC, visit FPAConline.com or call 508-528-3370. For more information on Rodman for Kids, visit rodmanforkids.org.  

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides details on the June 3, 2025 Special Election (audio)

FM #1444 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1444 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello about the Special Election for the Fiscal Year 2026 Override coming up Tuesday, June 3, 2025.  We briefly touch on the regular local election scheduled for November. 

Our conversation covers:

• Early in person voting starts May 16 during office hours in Clerk’s Office

• Last day to register to vote is May 24

• Last day for absentee voting at the Office, Monday June 2 at noon.

• Office closed on Tuesday June 3 to run the election at Franklin High School gymnasium

• June 3 hours from 6 AM to 8 PM

• November election for Town Council, School Committee, Planning Board, Board of Assessor, Board of Health, Constables for 2 year terms. The Town Clerk is also up for a 4 year term.

• We’ll cover this election in more detail later this summer

Neither of us will tell you how to vote, we will share information on what you need to know to properly cast an informed vote on or before June 3.

Our conversation recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen in Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1444-town-clerk-june-3-2025-special-election-update-05-05-25/

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

Special Election page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/1123/Special-Election-6-3-2025  

Town Clerk page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/333/Town-Clerk-Elections-Division

FY 2026 Override Info page -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information 

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides details on the June 3, 2025 Special Election (audio)

FHS baseball tops Sharon on Sunday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Sunday, May 11, 2025

Baseball = Sharon,6 @ Franklin, 8 - Final

Franklin 8, Sharon 6. WP-Winer (5.2 inn,7H,4ER,6Ks) S-McKenna (1.1 inn,K). Offensively, Kryzak(H,R,2RBI) Sullivan (3-4,2R,2RBI,2 2B), Winer(1-2,HR 💣,R,2RBI) Luizzi(2-4), McAlpine(1-2,R) Sidwell,(1-3,R),Luccini,(2-3,R) Silverstein (1-3,R,RBI) Next up:Mon 5/12 H vs Taunton at 7pm.

https://x.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1921751270135673182

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-05-11-25/

 

 

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

Franklin Public Schools Holds Opening Reception for AP Studio Art Exhibition

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Dr. Maria Weber are pleased to share that Franklin High School hosted the opening reception of the 2025 AP Studio Art Exhibition on Thursday, May 1.

Held in the Panther Lobby, the event served as a celebration of the creativity, dedication and hard work of Franklin High School's advanced art and design students. The works that makes up the AP Studio Art Exhibition will remain on display in the Panther Lobby and Art Hallway through May 16.

"The opening reception was a wonderful success with a large turnout from families, staff and community," said Franklin High School Art Teacher Danielle LaPlante. "The exhibition is a capstone for our AP Studio Art students, who spend the year developing a portfolio of college-level work that showcases both technical skill and personal voice. We are so proud of their achievements and thankful for everyone who came out to support them."

The exhibition featured the artwork of 19 AP Studio seniors, each with their own display of about 8 to 15 works each, including the following student artists:

• Marley Allen
• Izzy Brown

• 

  artwork by senior Ruby Stamp.
  (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

  Jess Crisileo
• Abby Cronin
• Jess Cunningham
• Maddie Damon
• Eden Donovan
• Noah Gorgas
• Zeno Hart
• Libby Hofstra
• Oswin Kerns
• Maggie Levins
• Kai Lewis
• Maliha Mahjabin
• Elliot Mann
• Ash Montani
• Deeksha Pericherla
• Ruby Stamp
• Rory Teng

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Dr. Maria Weber congratulated the student artists on developing their portfolios and putting their capstone works on display.

"I am incredibly proud of each of our AP Studio seniors," said Principal Dr. Weber. "All of them put in countless hours to build up a portfolio of amazing artwork. The opening reception for the 2025 AP Studio Art Exhibition was a special night to have all of our student artists, their parents, our teachers and the community come together to celebrate their dedication, creativity and artistic achievements."

“I would like to congratulate all our students who worked so hard throughout their time in Franklin Public Schools to develop so many amazing works of art," said Superintendent Giguere. "The amount of time, effort and creativity that went into these works of art is truly incredible. We commend all of you and offer our best wishes in the future as you continue to apply yourself in the field of visual arts."

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/article/2205137