Senate President Karen Spilka: A Holiday Greeting and End of Year Recap

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Happy Holidays! Pictured: Me with my District Liaisons, Jess and Momina (L to R) at our office holiday party. Dear Friends,    I hope this letter finds you in good spirits this holiday season. Since I last updated you, there's been a lot happening in our community and on Beacon Hill and I'm looking forward to bringing you up to speed on all the great highlights from this year. I'm truly proud of the work we've done in the Senate this year and I'm thankful to my colleagues and our staff for making it possible. The 194th Legislative Session is far from over, but there's plenty of accomplishments to share from this first year alone. We launched the Senate's Response 2025 Initiative to combat actions of the of the federal government that would have a significant negative impact on Massachusetts and its residents. Some actions under this initiative include: The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which would establish some of the strongest consumer data protections in the nation. The Shield Act 2.0 to strengthen protections for those seeking or providing reproductive and gender affirming care. Protecting federal employees from residential eviction or foreclosure during any federal shutdown. Protecting freedom of thought in Massachusetts schools and public libraries and safeguarding open access to books and other educational materials in the wake of widespread politically motivated books bans. I'm also proud of the work we've done in the Senate to remove the greatest distraction device ever created' from classrooms. In late July, the Senate passed An Act to promote student learning and mental health, requiring all public-school districts to adopt cell phone-free school policies by fall 2026. The Senate has also passed several timely bills including: Chapter 90 legislation to support our state's infrastructure including roads and bridges. An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker, in response to a rise in attacks. An Act modernizing the Commonwealth's Cannabis laws, which would reform oversight of the maturing cannabis industry. Bills that would increase access to menstrual products and require the disclosure of ingredients. As always, if my office can be of assistance to you or your family, please don't hesitate to reach out at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500.   karenspilka.com Want more frequent updates? Follow us on social

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House Room 332 | Boston, MA 02133 US

Newsletter was removed for publication here. The web link to the remaining content can be found -> https://karenspilka.com/updates/2025/12/23/2025-senate-year-in-review

Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 095 - Walking in the Cold, Christmas Morning, New Years, In Memoriam, Baseball, Cars, and much more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group shares stories, poems, and writings about walking in the cold, Christmas morning, New Years, an in memoriam for Ken Norman, stories of past cars, Scott shares a chapter from his upcoming baseball book, and Bob shares the latest chapter in The Thousand Hour Lesson.

Audio link -> https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episode/episode-095-walking-in-the-cold-christmas-morning-new-years-in-memoriam-baseball-cars-and-much-more

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

Holiday Cheer (and Hours) from the Children’s Museum of Franklin!

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. Friends, Wishing you a season filled with joy, wonder, and time together. The Museum will be closed December 23–December 25 and January 1, and open with holiday hours on all other days over Winter Break. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as holiday visits often sell out. Holiday Hours are as follows: Friday, 12/26: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Saturday, 12/27: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Sunday, 12/28: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Monday, 12/29: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Tuesday, 12/30: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Wednesday, 12/31: 9:00 am–1:30 pm Friday, 1/2: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Saturday, 1/3: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Sunday, 1/4: 9:00 am–4:00 pm Need a last-minute gift idea? A membership to Children's Museum of Franklin supports this local non-profit and is the gift that keeps on giving all year long – unlimited play, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of joy. You can learn more about gifting passes or memberships here. With cheer, Children's Museum of Franklin Pre-Register

BFCCPS Technology/STEAM Night scheduled for Jan 14, 2025

BFCCPS Technology/STEAM
Night scheduled for Jan 14, 2025

TECHNOLOGY/STEAM NIGHT

Come for a night of technology and building fun on Wednesday, January 14th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.

There will be multiple stations for children to participate in. Stations include: Ozobots, Magnetic Minecraft, Quiver, Pixel Art, Sticker Station, Snap Circuits, Magnatiles, Keva Blocks, and STEAM Build Instant Challenge: Machine to the Moon. The Quiver App is a way to make drawings interactive. Ozobot Bits are robots that respond to coloring a map for it to follow.

This event is for grades K-8. Families can enter through the commons directly and are to accompany their child station to station.

This event is free! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Af9CdfrzK/

Teen Spoken Word Festival announced by MassPoetry

Teen Spoken Word Festival announced by MassPoetry

"We are excited to announce the dates of our Teen Spoken Word Festival!

The festival will take place March 28 and 29, 2026 at Emerson College.

There will be poetry slams, workshops, open mics, and more!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSk6JmpjgWz/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, December 24, 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 Part 1 of 3 segments from the 12/17/25 Town Council meeting. This covers the opening, citizen comments, recognitions and alcohol license renewals ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/audio-of-121725-town-council-in-3.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 305 - All Things Bubbly For New Years  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_01041367699.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 24, 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 Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ken Turino

10:00 am The Black Box: Tappy Christmas 2019

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

5:30 pm Santa On The Common 2025

6:00 pm FPAC: Humbug

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Heather Pierson Trio

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

7:00 am Middle School Winter Music 2025: Chorus and Orchestra

8:30 am Middle School Winter Music 2025: Band

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 Foxboro 12-19-25

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

8:00 am Town Council 12-17-25

2:00 pm Town Council 12-17-25

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: Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ???

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

Library & Senior Center events

** Town Meetings today   **

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Tuesday, December 23 Time: 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12232025-2057 

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

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

Hockomock Area YMCA Announces healthy living programs starting in January 2026

Research shows that physical activity can decrease recurrence and increase survivorship for cancer patients.

Since 2010, The Hockomock Area YMCA has been facilitating the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program and they are pleased to announce new classes starting this new year in January.   

LIVESTRONG is a no-cost, 12-week program designed for cancer survivors and their families seeking to regain health, build strength, and connect with other cancer survivors. Participants work with staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve goals such as building muscle mass & strength, increasing flexibility & endurance, and improving confidence & self-esteem. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is helping people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body. The program meets twice a week for 90 minutes, using traditional exercise methods to ease you back into fitness and help participants improve confidence and self-esteem.

A cancer survivor is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with a form of cancer in their lifetime.

LIVESTRONG is a no-cost, 12-week
program designed for cancer survivors

The Hockomock Y’s LIVESTRONG at the YMCA classes will begin the week of January 5th:   

Bernon Family Branch 

45 Forge Hill Road

Franklin, MA 

Day & Time: Mondays and Wednesdays: 6:15pm-7:45pm

Day & Time: Wednesdays and Fridays: 10:45am-12:15pm

Invensys Foxboro Branch

67 Mechanic Street

Foxboro, MA 

Day & Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10:30am-12:00pm

Day & Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Hurley Family Branch 

300 Elmwood Street

North Attleboro, MA 

Day & Time: Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:30am-12:00pm

Are you a cancer survivor or know someone who is and could benefit from this no-cost program?  

Cancer survivors are encouraged to visit www.hockymca.org/new-livestrong-classes or contact Jackie Robison, Program Director at 508-772-1310 or jackier@hockymca.org for more information and to enroll.

Part of the Hockomock Y’s commitment to strengthening community through healthy living, the program offers adults affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. The Hockomock Area YMCA is enrolling now for upcoming LIVESTRONG at the YMCA sessions at their branches in Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro.  Participants receive a free family membership to the Hockomock Area YMCA during the program.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:

At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

 

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.