St Mary's to celebrate Mass at 9 AM on Memorial Day in the St Mary's Parish Cemetery

On Memorial Day (Monday morning) at 9 AM, Mass will be celebrated in the St. Mary Parish Cemetery to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country, those who have been laid to rest in our cemetery as well as all deceased loved ones. 

St Mary's to celebrate Mass at 9 AM

Please bring your lawn chairs for sitting. 

In the event of rain, Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel of our church at 9 AM.  

At 10 AM in St. Mary Cemetery, United States Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and St. Mary clergy will participate in a service to honor those who gave their life in service to our country.  

The Franklin Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 AM from Horace Mann School.  It will head up Oak Street (which turns into Daniel McCahill Street) and then proceed down Union Street.  The parade will then turn left onto West Central Street (Route 140), then make another left turn onto Emmons Street and then a left onto Main Street and it will head to the Franklin Town Common. 

Please plan to attend Mass and the other Memorial Day events to commemorate the day.  

We thank the Knights of Columbus for hosting our 9 AM Mass on Monday in the cemetery. 

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 290 - An Italian Wine Journey with Alessia Botturi (audio)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!

The Wonderful World of Wine: An Italian Wine Journey with Alessia Botturi

Episode Summary:

Hosts Kim and Mark welcome Alessia Botturi, a distinguished Italian wine educator, sommelier, co-founder of the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), and partner at www.yourpartnersinwine.com for an in-depth exploration of the world of Italian wine.

The conversation begins with Alessia sharing her fascinating journey into the wine industry, detailing her experiences both in the United States and her native Italy. She explains her deep passion for Italian wines and what motivated her to focus on educating others about their unique characteristics and rich history. Alessia also provides insights into her own rigorous Italian sommelier training, offering listeners a glimpse into the dedication and knowledge required to achieve this prestigious certification.

A portion of the interview is dedicated to the Italian Wine Specialist program previously offered by the North American Sommelier Association. 

Alessia Botturi

Listeners will also learn about Alessia's valuable free guide to Italian wine, as she outlines the key information and resources included in this downloadable asset for wine enthusiasts.

Moving on to her latest educational endeavor, Alessia introduces her new Italian Wine History and Laws program. She expertly breaks down the complexities of Italian wine laws, offering a clear understanding of the Italian wine classification pyramid.

For those looking to navigate the often-overwhelming world of Italian wine shopping, Alessia provides practical and insightful wine buying tips, empowering consumers to make informed choices.

The discussion then shifts to the burgeoning trend of non-alcoholic wines in Italy, with Alessia sharing the latest developments and consumer preferences in this category.

Finally, Kim and Mark delve into what one might typically find on Italian wine shelves and pose some of the most frequently asked questions about Italian wine. Notably, Alessia addresses the common query about why some people report experiencing fewer headaches when drinking wine in Italy, offering potential explanations rooted in winemaking practices and regulations.

This episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW ) offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Italian wine, guided by the expertise and passion of Alessia Botturi. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their appreciation and understanding of Italy's diverse and captivating wine landscape.

For more information about Alessia she can be found on Instagram @learnitalianwineonline Website = www.yourpartnersinwine.com

Cheers 

Kim and Mark

www.thewww.wine

🍷🍷🍷

#wine #thewonderfulworldofwine #italy #wineeducation 

https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-290-alessia-botturi-interview

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 290-Alessia Botturi Interview

Franklin Library News & Events for June 2025 (part 4 of 5)

Weekly / Monthly Events for Teens

Dungeons and Dragons Club for Kids & Teens, Mondays, 4 – 6pm (Ages 9+)

Registration Required

Kids are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! The library will supply dice, rule books, and blank character sheets. (Dungeon Masters must be ages 12 and up.) This program will be on summer break after Monday, June 16.

Code Club, Wednesdays @ 4pm (Ages 8+)

This is an after school hour of code focusing on exploration of computer programming through play. This is not a classroom. This is a playground where Coders have access to: optional tutorials & walkthroughs, monthly challenges, and mentoring in their coding journey! All levels of skill are welcome and personal projects are encouraged. This can be a great way to dip your toes in the pool and see what learning to code can do for you. Let us know if you need technology from the library by emailing Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net. No registration required. This program will be on summer break after Wednesday, June 4.

Teen Advisory Board, 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30pm

Join us each month for Teen Advisory Board. The Teen Advisory Board is a GREAT opportunity to get involved here at the library! You'll help plan events and programs, create displays and decorate the teen space, and help drive decisions around the kinds of materials we bring to the YA collection, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours. It's a win-win-win! No registration required.

Pixel Pals, Last Thursday of the Month @ 4pm

An afternoon book group for graphic novels, manga, anime, cartoons, etc.! We’ll talk new releases, dabble in drawing, and much more. No registration required.

Special Events for Teens

Franklin Porchfest 2025, Saturday, June 7 @ 12 – 6pm 

Porchfest is coming back to Franklin, MA! Come spend the day in Franklin’s beautiful Cultural District while listening to live music. Musicians and bands of all genres will be performing on porches and patios throughout the district. Be sure to check out the following performers throughout the day at the library:

12 – 1pm: Tommy Feeley

1 – 2pm: Jamie Barrett

2:30 - 3:30pm: Dave Perry

4 – 6pm: Jeffrey Scornavacca

In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be Sunday, June 8.

Strawberry Stroll on the Library Lawn, Friday, June 13 @ 4 – 8pm

This year the Strawberry Stroll extends all the way to the Library Lawn! We are celebrating with inflatables, summer reading signups, and more! No registration required.

https://www.franklinma.gov/399/Library-Services

Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration, Saturday, June 14 @ 10:30am – 12:30pm

Join the library for an epic start to the summer, featuring balloons, inflatables, games, and a foot stomping musical performance by the Moonbellies! No registration required.

Drum Circle with Dave Curry, Saturday, June 14 @ 2pm

Enjoy a hand-drumming workshop for all ages! This live event will explore different drumming styles from across the globe, celebrating the universality of this much-loved instrument. No registration required.

Summer Skill Up, Tuesday, June 24 @ 4pm

All ages are welcome to level up their knowledge by trying a new skill. Every week we will be providing a new small project to practice, learn, and grow! All Supplies are provided. Young children may need an adult to help. Enjoy crafting a Custom Journal to capture all your summer memories! No registration required.

Science Chefs: 3D Printers, Monday, June 23 @ 3pm

1 part food, 1 part science, and unlimited fun! We will be exploring the workings of a 3D printer by being one ourselves! We will be using Icing for this exercise so dress for mess. No registration required.

Game Bytes Overdrive, Wednesday, June 25 @ 3:30pm

Game Bytes is leveling up for a summer of FUN! Bring a snack and join us for two hours of casual co-op and solo play. Bring your own device or play on the big screen! No registration required.

Service Squad, Thursday, June 26 @ 1pm

Teens looking for community service are invited to join the Youth Services Department to help strategize and prepare crafts and activities for storytimes and events! This is an ideal opportunity for creative, organized, crafty teens who love to take initiative. No registration required.

Mario Kart Tournament, Saturday, June 28 @ 1 – 4pm

Registration Required

Ready… Set… Go for gold! Join solo or as a team in Mario Kart 8 with all courses, characters, and parts unlocked! Bring the noise as 30 racers vie for the cup! During the tournament, enjoy Mario crafts and activities to level up the fun. Teams, please register as one person - you'll trade off drivers as a single entity within the bracket.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=60

Auto accident updated: one fatality, driver arrested for OUI

Via the Boston Globe: 

"A girl died and two others suffered serious injuries after, police say, a drunk driver struck another car in Franklin on Saturday evening.

James N. Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was arrested at the scene and charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, according to a statement released by the Norfolk District Attorney’s office.

The crash occurred around 6:22 p.m. in the area of 76 Grove St., according to the statement.

The girl, whose name was not released, was rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead, according to the statement."

NBC Boston -> 

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/deadly-drunken-driving-crash-franklin-mass/3723048/ 

Boston Globe -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/25/metro/girl-dies-franklin-crash-driver-arrested-oui-police-say/ 

Initial Police press release -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/franklin-police-motor-vehicle-crash.html

Register O'Donnell Reveals Norfolk County's Top Real Estate Sales of 2025's 1st Quarter (2 in Franklin)

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported that during the first quarter of 2025, ten properties, a mix of commercial and residential, sold for total of $272.4 million, with an average price of $27,240,000. These high-value transactions highlight the strength and diversity of the local real estate market, reflecting continued economic activity across various sectors.

Top Real Estate Sales of 2025's
1st Quarter (2 in Franklin)

The following prices pertain to real estate sales from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025.

The ten properties were:

10. 42 Cranmore Road, Wellesley – A 6-bedroom, 7-bath, 8,200-square-foot mansion built last year, sold in January for $7,800,000.

9. 44 Vanderbilt Avenue, Norwood – A 44,406-square-foot industrial manufacturing facility built in 1980, sold in March for $7,875,000.

8. 20 Sears Road, Brookline – A 7-bedroom, 9-bath, 9,300-square-foot mansion built in 1930, sold in March for $8,000,000.

7. 121 Grove Street, Franklin – A 6-bedroom farmhouse and 26.26 acres of land, sold in January for $9,100,000.

6. 1199 West Central Street, Franklin – In March, Dairy Farmers of America bought the 300,000-square-foot milk processing facility, formerly owned by Garelick Farms, which sold for $9,611,188.

5. 9 Andem Place, Brookline – Extra Space Storage purchased a six-floor self-storage facility, the oldest full-service self-storage property in Brookline, in January for $11,250,000.

4. 40 Industrial Drive, Canton – A 59,400-square-foot industrial warehouse renovated in 2005, sold in February for $11,775,000.

3. 200 Grossman Drive, Braintree – In February, the 34-acre shopping plaza known as The Marketplace at Braintree sold for $29,900,000.

2. 2 Presidential Drive, Quincy – The 276-unit Garden-style apartment complex, built on 12 acres of land and known as Presidential Estates, sold in March for $74,000,000.

1. 200 Trotter Road, Weymouth – In January, the 298-unit apartment community known as The Commons at SouthField sold for $103,100,000.

These transactions reflect a combination of apartment complexes, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and residential properties, emphasizing Norfolk County's attractiveness to investors across multiple industries. The state and county collected excise taxes totaling more than $1,242,195 from these ten sales.

"The variety in these real estate transactions bodes well for the Norfolk County economy, with high-value properties selling in both commercial and residential sectors," stated Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. "This indicates that Norfolk County is not only a desirable place to live and work but also a magnet for business, industry, and trade. Overall, the dynamic real estate market in Norfolk County underscores its attractiveness and potential for continued growth and prosperity."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @norfolkdeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Senior Center Events for the week of May 27 - 30; Connections Newsletter for June

The Senior Center, Library, and Town buildings are closed today for the Memorial Day holiday.

The June edition of the Connections newsletter is ready to show all the events and activities for the Senior Center ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5701/Franklin-Connection-June-2025?bidId=

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKE5tiWRWMb/?

MassDOT looking for your input on their FY 2026 - FY 2030 Capital Plan

MassDOT looking for input on their FY 2026 - FY 2030 Capital Plan

Share your feedback on transportation investments for the next five-years! #MassDOT's FY26-30 Capital Investment Plan is now open for public review and comment.

ℹ Visit mass.gov/CIP to read the plan and learn more about proposed spending on transportation projects and programs for bridges, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, road improvements, airports, and more.

🗣Register for upcoming public meetings to connect with MassDOT staff and share your comments, or reach out to us by email or mail through June 12.

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DKAnDVsSEj5/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, May 26, 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 is 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 Monday - Franklin Public Radio

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, May 26, 2025

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

7:00 am  Riffing on Main Street: Steve Sherlock

8:00 am  Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

9:00 am  Metrowest Boston Annual Meeting 2025 Pt 2

11:30 am  Cooking Thyme: Grillin'

12:00 pm  Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm  Cooking with Linda: Mac 'n' Cheese

1:35 pm  Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:02 pm  New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 7

3:02 pm  Candlepin New Generation: Show 4

6:00 pm  Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

7:00 pm  Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 2

8:30 pm  Circle of Friends: The Kennedys: Circle of Friends: The Kennedys

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

9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

10:30 am Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Strings School

12:00 pm FHS Spring Jazz 2025

1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse v King Philip 05-19-25

3:30 pm Parmenter School Memorial Day Celebration

5:30 pm SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness 2024

7:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Milford 05-19-25

 

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

 

8:00 am Planning Board 05-12-25

11:00 am Economic Development 05-21-25

2:00 pm Planning Board 05-12-25

5:00 pm Town Council 05-22-25

7:00 pm Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Session 5 03-08-25

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: Sunday, May 25, 2025 ???

Sunday, May 25

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

12:30pm Jamie Barrett (live music) (Brothers Tavern- Milford)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

8:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA

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

Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony, and Taps Across America - Information & Reminders - May 26, 2025

1 - Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 26 - 11:00 AM 

Starts at Horace Mann Middle School, comes out Oak St to Union Street, to RT 140, to Emmons St, to Main St and back to the Town Common. 

Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony 

2 - Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 26 - Noon 

Will be held on the Town Common by the War Memorial after the parade. Franklin Veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day as well as Franklin’s 45 fallen heroes who died in our nation’s combats will be recognized.

3 - Taps Across America - 3 PM

New Memorial Day Parade Route

Franklin resident Tim O'Toole will be participating in the Taps Across America Memorial Day playing of taps. Taps will be played all across America at 3pm local time. 3 PM is the National Moment of Remembrance in honor of those who died in military service to the United States.

Tim will be playing taps on the Franklin Town Common on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 at 3 PM.

The new parade route -> (see map image)

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

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Melanie Hamblen encouraging civil discourse (video)

Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen share her plea for Franklin folks to "be better" and for civil discourse.

video link -> https://youtu.be/Vup7_keVGUg

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Councilor Melanie Hamblen encouraging civil discourse (video)

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the School Committee meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Franklin School Committee 

May 27, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

 

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Retiree Recognition

B. Civics Presentation by Students

C. DIP/SIP Update / MS Math Update

Agenda for the School Committee

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. none

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your May 13, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B.   Recurring NYC Trip

I recommend approval of the request of Diane Plouffe to take music students to New York City from April 17-18, 2026 to see an opera (La Boheme) and a Broadway play (Hamilton) as detailed.

C. FHS Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $11.91 from Ohiopyle prints for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.

D. Keller Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $369.39 from Vi5ion Inc. for supplemental supplies at Keller as detailed.

E. Oak Street Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $1700.00 from the Oak St. PCC for field trips as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Adjournment

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272025-1761

The meeting folder where other docs will be posted after the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/may-27%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/806450

FHS baseball falls to Hopkinton in 11 innings

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, May 24, 2025

Baseball = Franklin, 8 @ Hopkinton, 9 – Final (11 Inn.)

Hopkinton 9, Franklin 8 (11inn). Tough loss, Congrats to Hopkinton! Tremblay solid in relief (4inn, 4H, R, 3Ks). Offensively, Winer (2-5,2R) Kryzak (H,2R) Lambert (1-2) Pennini (H,R,3RBI) Sidwell (2-3,2B,4RBI) McAlpine (H,2B) Luccini (1-1). Next up: Division 1 Playoffs vs TBD.  https://x.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1926388178195227005 

 

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-24-25/

 

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