Friday, April 24, 2026

Franklin Public Library: Special Events for Teens & Adults - May 2026

Weekly/Monthly Events for Teens

D&D Club, Mondays @ 4pm
Kids ages 10-17 are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! Dungeons and Dragons, also known as D&D, is one of the most complex tabletop games in history. The library will supply dice, rulebooks, and blank character sheets! We will be using the 5th edition books and rules. Other Table Top systems are welcome! Please email mgousie@minlib.net for registration information.
- Dungeon Masters must be at least 12 years old and have experience with Dungeon and Dragons.
- Dungeon Masters are required to choose a premade adventure. Homebrew additions to the adventure are allowed.
- Players and Dungeon Masters are required to be respectful, kind, and attentive to each other.
- Groups of players with a Dungeon Master are welcome to share our space!

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.


Game Bytes, Wednesdays @ 4pm
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.

Special Events for Teens

Wind Phone Pebble Paint w/ Cultural District, Saturday, May 2 @10am
Come join us for a creative and meaningful afternoon as we paint pebbles for our community “rock garden,” a space that will live beside the upcoming WindPhone installation at Franklin Sculpture Park, set to debut in late May. Led by Franklin Artist Amy Adams, this is a chance for kids and adults alike to see how the smallest gesture can inspire moments of empathy. All are welcome for this free activity! Just bring your creativity and an open heart. No registration required.

Teen Stress Relief Night, Wednesday, May 6 @ 5:30pm
Join us for a night of relaxation and rejuvenation before those big exams! No registration required.

Craft Supply Swap, Saturday, May 9 @ 1pm
Bring a bag of your own craft supply donations and/or come to shop Franklin Public Library's first Craft Supply Swap! More details are listed on the library calendar. If you are interested in volunteering for evaluation and sorting, please email mgousie@minlib.net.

Melodious Zach: An Elton John Experience, Saturday, May 23 @ 3pm
Hear the stories and songs of Elton John in this historical jaunt through Elton’s music. Featuring early songs like “Skyline Pigeon,” hits like “Crocodile Rock,” “Hakuna Matata,” and more recent tunes like “I Want Love.” No registration required.

Events for Adults

English Conversation Group, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm
Looking for a casual, low-stress place to practice your English language skills? Join us on Tuesday evenings for a friendly group chat with your fellow English learners. Please note: this group is meant for folks who have a basic grasp of English and are looking for conversational practice, not very beginners. A tutor will be present to answer questions and help keep the conversation flowing, but the focus will not be on formal instruction. No registration required.

Table Top, Alternating Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 6pm
Registration required (see below). No Experience Necessary.
It's time to dust off your dice, grab a source book and role play your way through hijinks and horrors! Table Top is a monthly game of tabletop role playing games for adults. Email mgousie@minlib.net to sign up and/or get more info.

Knitting Group, Fridays, 10am – 12pm
Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room! All skill levels are welcome. No registration required.

WindPhone Pebble Paint w/ Cultural District, Saturday, May 2 @ 10am
Come join us for a creative and meaningful afternoon as we paint pebbles for our community “rock garden,” a space that will live beside the upcoming WindPhone installation at Franklin Sculpture Park, set to debut in late May. Led by Franklin Artist Amy Adams, this is a chance for kids and adults alike to see how the smallest gesture can inspire moments of empathy. All are welcome for this free activity! Just bring your creativity and an open heart. No registration required.

Diamond Art De-Stress, Thursday, May 14 @ 6:30pm
Registration Required
Give your day some sparkle & zen. Enjoy a meditative diamond art project with coffee or tea and conversation or quiet as you prefer. All materials provided. For ages 18+.

Watercolors Workshop, Monday, May 4 & 18 @ 6pm
Registration Required
Relax with a Monday watercolor class with local artist Sharon Carloni for adults 18 and over!

Craft Supply Swap, Saturday, May 9 @ 1pm
Bring a bag of your own craft supply donations and/or come to shop Franklin Public Library's first Craft Supply Swap! More details are listed on the library calendar. If you are interested in volunteering for evaluation and sorting, please email mgousie@minlib.net.

Craftalong for Adults, Saturday, May 23 @ 12pm
Registration Required
Get crafty at the library! Adults of all ages and craft ability levels are welcome to join us for this program. One Saturday each month, we'll complete a new DIY, creative craft. All supplies provided. Because adults deserve arts & crafts fun, too! This month: Macrame Keychains

Melodious Zach: An Elton John Experience, Saturday, May 23 @ 3pm
Hear the stories and songs of Elton John in this historical jaunt through Elton’s music. Featuring early songs like “Skyline Pigeon,” hits like “Crocodile Rock,” “Hakuna Matata,” and more recent tunes like “I Want Love.” No registration required.”

Mahjong Meetup, Tuesday, May 26 @ 6pm
Whether you have a rudimentary knowledge of mahjong or have been playing for years, we would love to have you join us for an evening of strategy, luck and fun. This is an opportunity for the novice to hone their skills and experienced players to share their knowledge. This event will not include instruction on how to play. If you have your own mahjong set, please bring it along. Play begins at 6pm, but the fun can start any time before the library closes! For ages 18+. No registration required. 

Get the full schedule - on the Library website - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/126

Town Council Communications Subcmte Meeting - Monday, April 27 at noon

Town Council Communications Subcmte Meeting - Monday, April 27 at noon
Town Council Communications Subcmte
Meeting - Monday, April 27 at noon
Upcoming Communications Subcommittee Meeting Next Week

Monday, April 27, 2026 = 12:00 PM

Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd Floor Training Room

View the agenda: https://buff.ly/xMpUB3V

Residents are welcome to attend in person, or participate remotely:



Reminder: Rising Stars Cabaret scheduled for May needs audition submissions by April 27

Reminder: Rising Stars Cabaret scheduled for May needs audition submissions by April 27
audition submissions due by April 27
Calling all singers 18 (high school) and under!

Auditions are open for Rising Stars Cabaret!

Submissions due Monday, April 27, 2026





Boston Globe: "Mass. sheriffs pitch budget fix after spending scrutiny"

via the Boston Globe:

Boston Globe: "Mass. sheriffs pitch budget fix after spending scrutiny"
Boston Globe: "Mass. sheriffs pitch budget
fix after spending scrutiny"
"Massachusetts’ county sheriffs are conceding what lawmakers and a state watchdog have been warning for months: The system used to fund and oversee their offices is “opaque, chaotic, and deeply flawed” — and they have their own suggestions for how to change it as the annual budget debate gets underway.

In a letter sent last week to top budget writers, the 14 sheriffs outlined a series of reforms they said would begin to address the “real problems” that Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro flagged in the review published earlier this year of their budgeting practices.

“We recognize that the current budget process is not working for our Offices and for the Legislature. This letter is our commitment to change that,” the sheriffs wrote in the letter sent to Senate Ways and Means chair Michael Rodrigues and House Ways and Means chair Aaron Michlewitz last Thursday and obtained by the Globe."

Continue reading the article with this share link -

United Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament - Monday, June 8, 2026

United Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament - Monday, June 8, 2026
United Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual
Golf Tournament - Monday, June 8, 2026


URCC Annual Golf Tournament - Monday, June 8, 2026
Sign up by contacting Jack at the Chamber office.

The New England Country Club
180 Paine Street
Bellingham





Boston Globe: "US reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug"

Via the Boston Globe:

Boston Globe: "US reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug"
Boston Globe: "US reclassifies state-licensed medical
marijuana as a less-dangerous drug"
"President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, a major policy shift long sought by advocates who said cannabis should never have been treated like heroin by the federal government.

The order signed by Todd Blanche does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law. But it does change the way it’s regulated, shifting licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I — reserved for drugs without medical use and with high potential for abuse — to the less strictly regulated Schedule III. It also gives licensed medical marijuana operators a major tax break and eases some barriers to researching cannabis.

The Trump administration also said it was jump-starting the process for reclassifying marijuana more broadly, setting a hearing to begin in late June."

Continue reading the article with this shared link - 

Say “no, thanks” to unexpected offers to lower your credit card interest rate


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By BCP Staff

If a company calls you unexpectedly and offers to help lower your credit card interest rate, say “no, thanks.” It’s probably a scammer hoping you’ll pay them for shortcuts that don’t really exist. 

Here’s how to spot and avoid scams that promise to help lower your credit card interest rate.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/say-no-thanks-unexpected-offers-lower-your-credit-card-interest-rate?utm_source=govdelivery



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 24, 2026

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:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews  Showcasing the "Blues" as a basis for and influence of Country, Jazz and Rock and Roll, here and worldwide.


11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience


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 Friday, April 24, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Katie Kindilien
8:30 am Frank Presents: Djuna Perkins
10:00 am Aging Boldfully: Jenn Goebel
11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 3
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Italian Sausage
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer '19 Show 2
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 4
3:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2
8:00 pm Metrowest Summit: World Cup 02-26-26
9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Joe Jencks

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

7:00 am All-Town Chorus & Orchestra 2026
8:30 am Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations
9:30 am 6th Grade Winter Music 02-10-26
11:00 am United Methodist Church: Lola Richardson
2:00 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-25-26
3:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball v Attleboro 04-13-26
8:30 pm Franklin Footlighters: High School Musical Jr.

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


8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26
2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 03-05-26
6:30 pm  Finance Committee 04-09-26

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

Thursday, April 23, 2026

First night of the FinCom FY 2027 Budget Hearings - audio in 2 parts - 04/06/26

FM #1723-24 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1723-24 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee Budget Hearing on General Government, the 1st of 4 sessions to go over the FY 2027 budget. The meeting was held in Council Chambers with 8 of 9 members present.


Let’s listen in

Part 1 runs about 2:13 Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1723-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-p1-of-2-04-06-26/



Part 2 runs about 3:11 Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1724-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-p2-of-2-04-06-26/




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The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/Y7KSV5MTfHs?&t=140 


Agenda doc including links to the FY 2027 budget 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04062026-2219  


My full set of notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jmG8Vn97Cemo5YjonVvLtr72hkqHHM26/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 out. 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"


What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, April 23, 2026 ???

Thursday, April 23


10:00am April Break Youth Lacrosse Clinic (Beaver Pond Recreation Area)

3:00pm Back to Life: Youth Theater Project (SAFE Coalition)

7:00pm Franklin Fathers Wine Tasting (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

7:30pm Dance Company (Dean College Main Stage Theater)



For Library events -> 
For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times



***  Town Meetings today   ***

GATRA Regional Public Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 2:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04232026-2243 


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, April 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/589?fileID=8914 


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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