Tuesday, July 15, 2025

NY Times: "A New Era of Hunger Has Begun"

By Tracy Kidder:

NY Times: "A New Era of Hunger Has Begun"
NY Times: "A New Era of Hunger Has Begun"
"Parts of Easthampton, an old mill town in western Massachusetts, look like relics of industrial New England — the old workers’ rowhouses, for instance. In other parts, it seems like a place in renaissance, with converted factory buildings spruced up and reinhabited by art galleries, restaurants, shops. Pedestrians fill the sidewalks on Friday and Saturday nights, especially during monthly art walk evenings. But on Monday mornings, when the downtown feels shuttered, another sort of crowd, one in search of food, not art and entertainment, gathers on a side street outside a 19th-century brick building. A sign out front identifies it as the Easthampton Community Center and Food Pantry.

The center distributes free groceries on Mondays and Wednesdays, but Monday is usually busier, because many people it serves have run out of food by then. By 9 a.m. on a Monday in June, a line of people with shopping bags extended from the sidewalk across the parking lot to the first of the food stations alongside the old building. There, clients are greeted by volunteers with friendly faces and helpful voices, offering milk and eggs, a selection of breads and pastries, frozen meat, fruit and vegetables. Inside, another team of volunteers assembles bags of canned and packaged food, some for adults, others for children."


Senior Center Poetry Day - Oct 25, 2017 (video)

From deep in the Franklin TV video archives comes this recording of the Poetry Day held at the Senior Center on October 25, 2017.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4LPTfBJ_vk


Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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 Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio
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 Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday

Franklin TV schedule for Tuesday, July 15, 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: Abigail Drake
10:00 am Frank's Musings: Supreme Court
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 2
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8
3:30 pm Riffing on Main Street: Amy Adams
4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
6:00 pm Horace Mann PSA
6:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
7:30 pm Strawberry Stroll 2025
8:00 pm 4th of July 2023: School of Rock

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
8:30 am FHS Spring Jazz 2025
10:00 am Mental Health: Abigail Drake
12:30 pm All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus and Orchestra
2:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v Taunton 04-10-25
4:30 pm Tri County Graduation 2025
8:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
9:00 pm FHSTC: Urinetown

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

8:00 am  School Committee 06-10-25
2:00 pm  School Committee 06-10-25 

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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Monday, July 14, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, July 14, 2025 ???

Monday, July 14
Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events 

8:00am Golf Tournament Fundraiser for FHS Panther Hockey (Franklin Country Club)

6:30pm Southeastern MA Community Concert Band (Franklin Senior Center)


For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        


** NO Town Meetings today   **




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


What's happening today in Franklin?
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

Senior Center events for week of July 14 - July 18, 2025

Senior Center events for week of July 14 - July 18, 2025
Senior Center events for week of July 14 - July 18, 2025

"Hey Franklin, here’s what’s happening this week at the Franklin Senior Center! Stop by and say Hi."


Note: The Senior Center is one of the designated cooling centers open to ALL residents during heat waves.


Franklin TV: Memorial Day Breakfast & Parade for 2025 (video)

Memorial Day Breakfast 2025



Memorial Day 2025



The audio version of the Town Common ceremonies can be found here ->


wbur: "What makes a playground fun, according to Mass. DCR’s playground guru"

"Crafting a playground may seem simple at first: Install a slide, a few sets of swings, maybe some monkey bars and you’re set.

But what if that slide is made of material that isn’t slippery enough? Or, what if it’s angled in a way that causes someone to pick up too much speed? That’s the difference between a playground that’s popular and one that’s infamous.

wbur: "What makes a playground fun, according to Mass. DCR’s playground guru"
wbur: "What makes a playground fun, according to Mass. DCR’s playground guru"
Across Massachusetts, there are nearly 80 playgrounds managed by the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation. And the person making sure each one of them is fun and safe is Sandra Libby, the department’s official playground planner.

Libby has been a certified playground inspector for 25 years, and has spent the last nine of those years as DCR’s playground planner. She looks through landscaping plans, tinkers with structure materials, talks to manufacturers and, maybe most importantly, thinks about what children would want to play on, from jungle gyms to pirate ships to spinners. “The goal is for every kid to go there and feel like they have something that they really enjoy and can use,” she said."
Shared from -> https://x.com/TracyNovick/status/1944064535821725774?  or go directly to wbur's page -> https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/07/11/playgrounds-dcr-massachusetts-renovations-gronk-opening-newsletter

Note: I would add that appropriate shade coverage to keep the slides and other equipment useful during sunny days. One of Franklin's recreational failures is the lack of such coverage resulting in areas that stand empty on summer days. Look at Dacey Field playground and the revamped Nason St as key examples of no shade vs. Fletcher Field which has shaded space.

Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Notable Growth

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported that Norfolk County recordings for the month of June 2025 indicate a notable increase in overall real estate activity, with increases in both property sales and mortgage activity as compared to June 2024 and the previous month, May 2025.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds recorded a total of 10,433 documents in June 2025. This represents a 15% increase from June 2024 and an 8% increase compared to May 2025.
Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Notable Growth
Norfolk County Real Estate Market Shows Notable Growth

“The real estate market in Norfolk County is performing well as we move into the summer,” stated Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell. “The increase in real estate activity especially in property sales and mortgages demonstrates the robust demand for property here.”

The total number of deeds recorded for June 2025, which reflect both commercial and residential real estate sales and transfers, was 1,677, up 14% from June 2024 and up 12% from May 2025. Looking at just commercial and residential real estate sales, a total of 1,012 properties were sold in June 2025. This figure represents a 13% increase from June 2024."

“The significant increase in deeds recorded and properties sold in June 2025 compared to the same month last year demonstrates the ongoing demand for real estate within our communities,” stated Register O’Donnell. “Even amidst various market factors, the consistent volume of transactions points to an active real estate landscape.”

The average sale price for commercial and residential properties in June 2025 was $1,153,416, a less than 1% decrease from June 2024, and a decrease of 17% compared to May 2025. Additionally, the total dollar volume of commercial and residential sales is up, increasing 13% from last year and 2% from last month.

“The month of June saw a notable shift in the average sale prices on commercial and residential real estate as a whole marking the first time in 2025 that we haven't seen a year-over-year rise,” stated Register O’Donnell. “This pause in upward trending property prices could offer a welcomed window for prospective buyers, but we will need to wait and see if this trend continues.”

For the month of June, lending activity showed a significant increase compared to the same month a year ago and the previous month. A total of 1,707 mortgages were recorded in June 2025, up 23% from June 2024 and 11% more than May 2025. The total mortgage indebtedness is also up increasing 67% compared to June 2024, and up 2% compared to May 2025.

“The substantial rise in mortgage recordings, coupled with the increased mortgage indebtedness, indicates a strong and renewed confidence among buyers in securing financing,” stated Register O’Donnell. “This positive trend in lending activity is a key indicator of the overall health of our local real estate market.”

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely monitoring the foreclosure market. In June 2025, there were 3 foreclosure deeds recorded as a result of mortgage foreclosures taking place in Norfolk County, whereas in June 2024, there were 9. Additionally, in June 2025, there were 28 notices to foreclose, the first step in the foreclosure process, less than the 37 recorded in June 2024.

“The reduction in the number of foreclosures and notices to foreclose is certainly positive news. With that said, we must remember that foreclosure activity has a human impact, and there are still a number of our neighbors who have lost their homes, and even more are dangerously close to losing their homes,” said Register O'Donnell. “I would urge anyone struggling to pay their mortgage or who knows someone who is struggling to contact one of the non-profit organizations listed on our website, www.norfolkdeeds.org.”

For the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs (617-479-8181 x376) and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (508-587-0950) to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400.

Register O’Donnell concluded, “The June 2025 real estate data for Norfolk County showcases a competitive real estate market driven by strong demand and increasing lending activity. This growth highlights the desirability of our communities. As we move further into the summer months, we remain optimistic for continued growth and look forward to seeing how the market evolves.”

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.

Reminder: Franklin DPW's 2025 Hydrant Painting Event open until August 1, 2025

It's time for the Franklin DPW's 2025 Hydrant Painting Event!
For more information, including event rules, application and frequently asked questions, please visit: https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1160/2025-Hydrant-Painting-Event


Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 079 - Love, Robert Frost, Joining the Navy, Oranges, and much more

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about love, reflecting on a Robert Frost poem, joining the navy after high school, trying to find the magic, a work in progress on a story, and poetry about oranges and an intro to poems.


Senior Story Hour - WFPR
Senior Story Hour - WFPR



Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

Boston Globe All-Scholastics - Spring 2025

"The Globe salutes the region's best high school athletes and coaches in eight spring sports. Click here to meet the athletes and coaches of the year.  ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/11/sports/boston-globe-all-scholastics-spring-2025/ 

And don't miss the print section in the Sunday, July 13 paper."



Boston Globe: "See the latest rent estimates and trends for cities and towns in Greater Boston"

"When you live in Greater Boston, it can feel like the rent never stops climbing. Each year, the price of signing a new lease, or resigning an old one, grows more expensive — whether it be by $50 or $200 — than it was last year.

Indeed, there’s some truth to that.

In many metropolitan areas across the US, rents have trended down over the last year or so, particularly in places where an abundance of new housing has come online.

Not Greater Boston.

Boston Globe: "See the latest rent estimates and trends for cities and towns in Greater Boston"
See the latest rent estimates and trends
Rent in this housing-starved region has grown more expensive in nearly every community over the last year, according to a new monthly rent tracker launched by the Globe that compares rental trends at the local level"



How to access the Globe articles via the Franklin Library with your library card


Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Monday, July 14, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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
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 for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule

Franklin TV schedule for Monday, July 14, 2025

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
7:00 am Riffing on Main Street: Amy Adams
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Day 2024
9:00 am 4th of July 2023: School of Rock
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Pies
1:35 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:02 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 2
3:02 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 8
4:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
5:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
6:30 pm Horace Mann PSA
7:00 pm Frank's Musings: Supreme Court
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

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

8:30 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Day 2024
9:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
10:30 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Chorus and Orchestra
12:00 pm Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Strings School
1:30 pm Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Wachusett 04-24-25
6:00 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Taunton 04-09-25
9:00 pm FHSTC: Urinetown

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

8:00 am  Planning Board 06-30-25
2:00 pm  Planning Board 06-30-25


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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA