Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Jamie and Lucas close out FY 2025, look to the summer, and what's next (audio)

FM #1478 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1478 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere in the Municipal Building on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.  


Key topics

  • After the FY 2026 budget discussion, what’s next

    • Town business

    • School’s redistricting

    • Survey and engagement

  • Music playlists, concerts, & time away


The recording runs about  55 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Lucas.  Audio link -> https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin---A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office-e35jgvq/a-ac26nek



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Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/ 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 



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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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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!

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


Jamie and Lucas close out FY 2025, look to the summer, and what's next (audio)
Jamie and Lucas close out FY 2025, look to the summer, and what's next (audio)

A conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer & Electric Youth 2025 (video)

Before Electric Youth 2025 left for their European Tour, we had the opportunity for them to visit the Franklin TV Studio for a conversation and recording. We get to share the performance and discussion with you.

My thanks to Raye Lynn Mercer and Electric Youth and to the Franklin TV studio crew for the work recording and preparing the video to share.


After Electric Youth returns from Europe, they are scheduled for a performance at the Farmers Market/Concerts on the Common on August 1. Be sure to stop by and catch their performance.

You can also check out Electric Youth's webpage -> https://www.electricyouth.com/ 

The "38 Years at 38 Main" audio interview mentioned can be found here


Come to paint "Sunset Light" and help support the Franklin Food Pantry


"We have a new date coming up! Join us for the next session.

Come out to enjoy an evening filled with a delightful blend of music and painting, setting the perfect tone for a memorable night out with friends and family. 

This unique event inspires creativity and foster connections among attendees. 
 
Come to paint "Sunset Light" and help support the Franklin Food Pantry
Come to paint "Sunset Light" and help
support the Franklin Food Pantry
Best of all, your participation in this event goes beyond just personal enjoyment. 25% of all proceeds from the evening will be donated to support the Franklin Food Pantry, an essential local organization dedicated to providing food assistance to those in need within our community. 

By joining us, you are not only treating yourself to a night out, but you are also contributing to a worthy cause. So gather your loved ones, unleash your creativity, and make a positive impact while enjoying a wonderful evening together!"


Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 081 - Children's Book, The Thousand Hour Lesson, Hotdog vs Hamburger, Love, Old Friends, and much more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about alpha writing, love poems, old friends, empty bowls, a peanut butter jelly direction exercise, Bo gives us an update on his children's book, Bob gives us another chapter in The Thousand Hour Lesson, and Joe conducts his summer survey on the hotdog versus the cheeseburger.

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

Rod & Gun Club breakfast is back Sunday, July 20

Rod & Gun Club breakfast is back Sunday, July 20
Rod & Gun Club breakfast is back Sunday, July 20 
Breakfast is back!
This Sunday, July 20, come to the Franklin Rod & Gun Club for our monthly all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7:30 - 11 AM at 53 Florence St. in Franklin.
Eggs, pancakes, sausage, French Toast, corned beef hash, home fries, baked beans, and all the coffee/juice you can drink.
And it's just $10 ($5 kids). Yeah...10 bucks!
The 4th has passed but these food fireworks are about to go off. Best deal in town and great for families!
(open to the public, cash only at the door)





Rise up Saturday, July 19 at 10 AM

Rise up Saturday, July 19
Rise up Saturday, July 19

Learn more about Rise Up and sign up for email updates here:
https://alirheaume.com/rise-up






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This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:
  • individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
  • community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
  • support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you
Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Chad Hollister & Premo perform in the Franklin TV Studio (video)

Jim Derick, SAFE Coalition, welcomes Chad Hollister and Premo to the Studio for live performances along with a conversation.

Chad Hollister & Premo perform in the Franklin TV Studio (video)
Chad Hollister & Premo perform in the Franklin TV Studio (video)




For more about Chad Hollister and his band visit -> https://chadmusic.com/



Stacey Abrams and the 10 steps to autocracy (video)

In a recent visit to the Jimmy Kimmel show, Stacey Abrams succinctly laid out the ten steps to autocracy. How close to the path are we?

In a ten minute video, she begins about 2 minutes and it runs about 2 and a half minutes, then shifts to other topics. She is on a book tour and made an appearance at The Unlikely Bookstore Tuesday evening which a family member attended.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M16NVCtfXk

An NPR Interview also covers the same topic along with others in the conversation with Stacey -> https://www.npr.org/2025/07/15/nx-s1-5464737/stacey-abrams-coded-justice


The Great salt lake is no longer "great", and soon may not even be a lake

"On a recent flight home to Salt Lake City, I gazed out the window and shuddered. The ground below was riddled with cracks. Sporadic green pools dotted the dry earth where vast water had once been.

I was flying over what used to be an outlying stretch of the Great Salt Lake — the largest lake west of the Mississippi River. Growing up, I used to row there with my crew team. I came to love the brilliant sunsets, along with the migratory birds that stopped there each year.

This was not the lake I once knew.

For years, Great Salt Lake has been shrinking due to water overuse and rising temperatures. It has gone from a high of 3,300 square miles in the 1980s to a record low of 888 square miles in 2022. Though a few years of heavy precipitation have helped, it is still in grave danger. Without meaningful change, the lake could vanish altogether in a matter of years.

This is not just a disaster for Utah, where the lake is a cornerstone — it could have wide-reaching impacts that could reach New England."

Last August, I also shared an article on the disappearing Great Salt Lake ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/utahs-great-salt-lake-rings-climate.html

The Great Salt Lake, near Salt Lake City, Utah, has lost more than 70% of its water. Photograph: Rick Bowmer/AP
The Great Salt Lake, near Salt Lake City, Utah, has lost more than 70% of its water. Photograph: Rick Bowmer/AP

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio introduced a brand new schedule early in 2025 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:
 
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday


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)  

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)  



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

Franklin TV schedule for Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
7:30 am Mental Health: Abigail Drake
8:30 am FSPA: Spring 2025 Show 2
10:00 am More Perfect Union: D. E. I.
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
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 4th of July 2023: School of Rock
5:30 pm Franklin Matters: Electric Youth
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Garnet Rogers

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
8:30 am FHS Spring Jazz 2025
10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Day 2024
11:00 am Lifelong Music Spring 2025: Strings School
12:30 pm FHS Varsity Softball v Taunton 04-09-25
4:00 pm Tri County Graduation 2025
6:00 pm FHS Graduation 2025
8:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Wachusett 04-24-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 06-18-25
2:00 pm Town Council 06-18-25
5:45 pm    Economic Development Committee  CHAMBERS or 3rd FLOOR  819 0476 3421

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

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events 

Tuesday, July 15

5:00pm Youth Summer Track Meet (Franklin High School)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Smart Phone Trivia (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)



For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        



** Town Meetings today   **

OPEB Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, July 15 Time: 11:00 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152025-1813 



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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

Nomination papers for Town of Franklin Election available Aug 4, 2025

Monday, August 4 – Nomination papers available (by appointment only) in the Town Clerk's Office. Please check our website for hours.

Monday, September 15 by 4:00 PM – Signed Nomination papers must be submitted to the Town Clerk's Office for certification

Monday, September 22 by 4:00 PM- Last day to withdraw your candidacy

Nomination papers for Town of Franklin Election available Aug 4, 2025
Nomination papers for Town of Franklin
Election available Aug 4, 2025
Saturday, October 25 – Last day to register to vote from 9 AM to 5 PM in the Town Clerk's Office by appointment only or register online at http://www.sec.state.ma.us


Please visit our website www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk or call the Town Clerk's Office at 508-520-4900 for any questions.




Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 080 - The Thousand Hour Lesson Chapter 4, The Writer's Group, Love, Memorial Day, and much more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about their group, Bob gives us the fourth chapter in The Thousand Hour Lesson, love poems, an unlikely hike, Memorial Day, and why would anyone?


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



"Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe - Wednesday, July 16 at 1 PM

"Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe - Wednesday, July 16 at 1 PM
"Where's the Toast?" Memory Cafe
 - Wednesday, July 16 at 1 PM
Hello All,

We welcome you to join us at our monthly "Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe on Wednesday, July 16 at 1pm.  

Our memory cafe is free and open to those in the community who are living with memory loss, their families and caregivers.

This month is generously sponsored by Salmon Health & Retirement The Willows in Medway and features the music of Mike Tarara!  

Please RSVP to save your spot and share with those who may want to join us.  

Ariel

--

Ariel Doggett

PROGRAMMING & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR | COUNCIL ON AGING


Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill St. 

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038-1352

O. 508-520-4945
F. 508-520-4917
E. adoggett@franklinma.gov