FHS girls (video) & boys basketball teams both drop games to OA on Tuesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Girls Basketball = Oliver Ames, 54 @ Franklin, 35 – Final 

– OA jumped out to a 21-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, rolling to a season-opening win at defending Kelley-Rex champ Franklin. Avery Gamble and Maeve Horsman combined for 13 points in the first, while the OA defense held the Panthers to just two points. Trailing by 24 at halftime, Franklin tried to pull itself back into the game in the third, scoring 20 points. Freshman Brielle Nicholls scored eight and sophomore Tessah Rodrigues added seven, as the Panthers sliced the deficit in half. OA clamped down again on defense, holding Franklin to just three points in the fourth, to seal the victory. Gamble hit three from beyond the arc and had a game-high 23 points. Horsman chipped in with 13 and freshman Ashlyn Hrenko scored six in her varsity debut. Nicholls led the Panthers for the second game in a row, finishing with 14 points. Rodrigues added a dozen.

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kPceh_BhfM

"THANK YOU, Franklin & Oliver Ames! 💙🏀

We are incredibly grateful to the Franklin community and both the Franklin Panthers and Oliver Ames Tigers basketball programs for your overwhelming generosity and support. Because of you, the donations collected for The Santa Foundation will make a meaningful difference for families this season.

Community Night showed exactly what makes high school sports special—coming together beyond the game to give back. Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, and helped make this night such a success. Your kindness truly embodies the spirit of teamwork and community. The Santa Foundation: https://www.sfjoy.org/"   

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSWTO9IDRc6/

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 39 @ Oliver Ames, 54 – Final

"For most of the past two seasons, taking a three wasn’t high on Jacob Lok’s list of offensive options.

The senior point guard has built his reputation as a pass-first floor general, but with Oliver Ames needing new scoring options after heavy graduation losses, Lok committed to expanding his game — and it paid off Tuesday night.

Lok hit four triples in the third quarter and scored 15 of his career-high 18 points in the frame, powering Oliver Ames to a 54-39 win over Franklin, snapping the Panthers’ 39-game Hock win streak that dated back to January of 2023. It also marked OA’s first win over Franklin since 2014."

Continue reading the article By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor (subscription required) -> https://hockomocksports.com/jacob-lok-sparks-oliver-ames-boys-basketball-second-half-surge-past-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Oliver-Ames-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-12-16-25

Swimming = Franklin @ Concord-Carlisle, 4:30 (@ Beede Pool)

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-16-25/

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

Milk Jug Seed Sowing Workshop scheduled for Dec 29

The Blackstone and Millville Garden Club will be hosting a milk jug seed sowing workshop. This is a free event with materials included.

Milk Jug Seed Sowing Workshop scheduled for Dec 29

This event will be held on December 29th at 10:30 AM, at the Blackstone Senior Center, 15 St. Paul Street, Blackstone Ma, which is 3.9 miles from the Senior Center in Franklin.

So, if anyone is looking to start their cold hardy crops like peas, beets, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, brussel sprouts, chard, collard, onions, leeks, shallot, please let them know.

Habit for Humanity video on the Franklin Build at 762 Washington St (video)

Via Habitat for Humanity

"We are deeply grateful for Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, and the entire Town of Franklin MA, for their unwavering partnership and support. Together, we’re building more than homes - we’re building stability, hope, and a stronger community for families like Sally’s.

Join us in supporting the Franklin build by donating below! "

Donation link -> https://lnkd.in/eBzMSVKu

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8cXeyMzYY0

Winter Fest expands upon the Farmers Market at Fairmont Fruit Farm - Dec 20

Winter Fest expands upon the Farmers
Market at Fairmont Fruit Farm - Dec 20

Santa Claus is coming to Fairmount Fruit Farm this Saturday from 11am-2pm for our Winterfest!

From 10 AM - 2 PM, walk around our two heated greenhouses and outdoor space for 30+ vendors.

Surprise your family and friends with quality, unique, and delicious gifts!

Free pictures with The Grinch (10am-11am) and Santa (11am-2pm)

Stay tuned for our vendor list.

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

Franklin Youth Hockey Association fund raiser with Panera all day Saturday, Dec 20

Franklin Youth Hockey Association fund
raiser with Panera all day Saturday, Dec 20

There’s too much to do during the holiday season…so grab some Panera this Saturday!— with Franklin Youth Hockey Association.

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17hnXieDbx/

The Guardian: 'You don't have to do it alone': how US cities are helping each other resist ICE

"When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) set its sights on Chicago in September, Chicagoans sprang into action to protect their immigrant neighbors: teaching each other how to recognize and safely document ICE agents, setting up “know your rights” trainings, and distributing whistles en masse so people could loudly alert anyone in the vicinity when ICE was spotted.

In the months since, whistles have become a popular raid alert tool in other cities across the country – New Yorkers wear them around their necks to warn neighbors, the people of New Orleans blast them outside ICE facilities and Charlotte residents used them to ward off Customs and Border Protection officials. While strongly associated with Chicago, the tactic is actually one that city organizers learned in part from groups in Los Angeles. Its spread is illustrative of the many ways cities are helping inspire and equip one another in the face of often unlawful federal activities.

Rain Skau, a co-coordinator of the Fight Fascism campaign of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Los Angeles, said Angelenos began to use whistles to alert neighbors about ICE presence when agents first started hitting the city in June. Despite the federal government’s claims that these raids were targeting hardened criminals, Skau described one of the first raids at a Home Depot as mostly snatching women vending food in the parking lot, stuffing them into vans as meat sizzled on the grills they left behind."

Shared from "gift link" -> https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/16/ice-immigration-raids-cities?CMP=share_btn_url 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, December 17, 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

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 shares my "Talk Franklin" episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/talk-franklin-starts-with-summer.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)  

• This segment features Kim & Mark in Episode 304 - Holiday/Christmas Songs Paired With Wine  ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

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, December 17, 2025 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:30 am     FHS Sports: Mike Masto

8:30 am Veterans Day 2025

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Christine West

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer '19 Show 2

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm More Perfect Union: Immigration and the Courts

6:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Heather Pierson Trio

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

7:00 am Cultural Council: BT ALC Big Band

8:30 am Lifelong Music: Strings School 01-22-25

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Overdose Awareness Vigil 08-31-25

11:00 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra

1:30 pm     FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Swimming v Milford 01-03-25

6:00 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling v Milford 01-08-25

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Central Catholic 03-10-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 12-03-25

2:00 pm Town Council 12-03-25

6:00 pm Town Council  CHAMBERS  848 2012 6362

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: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 ???

Tuesday, December 16

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm FMS 7 GR/ 8 GR Band Concert (Franklin Middle School)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

** Town Meetings today   **

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Communications Subcmte)

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2060 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2059 

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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

Rise Up Holiday Party & Open House - Saturday, Dec 20 at 10 AM

The Rise Up Holiday Party and Open House is this Saturday, Dec 20!! Anyone 18+ is welcome to attend, so invite whoever you want to!

Date: Saturday, December 20th

Rise Up Holiday Party & Open House - Saturday, Dec 20 at 10 AM

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA 02038

Parking: On the left side of the building

Entrance: On the left side of the building (choice of ramp or stairs)

Restrooms: There is a handicap accessible restroom.

Outline:

- open social time, free food, and card-making activity

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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

Finance Committee gets the answer on how much it would take to fully fund Technology (add $1.5M/year) (audio)

FM #1608 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1608 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Wednesday, December 12, 2025. All 9 members of the Committee participated, 8 in Council Chambers, with 1 remote; hence a roll call for required votes.

Quick recap:

• Technology Director Tim Rapoza was the key presenter and outlined the technology requirements for licenses, hardware, and software which enable the Town and Schools to deliver the services they do

• Key question: How much it would take to fully fund Technology for the hardware, software, licenses and personnel to support Town and School needs. Answer = add $1.5M/year to the existing budget

The recording runs just about 2 and ½ hours, let’s listen

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1608-franklin-ma-finance-cmte-mtg-12-10-25/

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Franklin TV video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAQEXjI0D8 

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039  

Finance Cmte gets the answer on how
much it would take to fully fund
Technology (add $1.5M/year)

The presentation doc https://franklintechnology2025.my.canva.site/ 

Pictures of the slides presented are captured in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThWM9bemHaA48xk69 

My notes can be found in one PDF ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/10VfXGVVfuS1pge0RwuA3VxKgYAoZKuCx/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"