What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, November 29, 2025 ???

Saturday, November 29

• One day trash/recycle curbside pick up delay due to holiday
• #shopFranklin small business Saturday

9:00am Thrifty Threads (CLOSED for this weekend) (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Raydio Holiday Toy Drive (DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston - Milford)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

 

10:30am Santa StoryWalk ! (Franklin Public Library)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (0Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events -> 

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

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

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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

Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS String Quartet on Sunday, November 16, 2025 (audio)

FM #1593 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1593 in the series. 

This session shares the Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS String Quartet at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sunday, November 16, 2025. 

There is an intermission and at the end of the performance, the quartet does come back for a brief encore.

The audio runs about 90 minutes.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1593-livearts-string-quartet-free-concert-11-16-25/

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Free Concert performance of the LiveARTS
String Quartet on Sunday, November 16, 2025 (audio)

Refer to the performance program for details on the pieces played ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CSsbvhDcd6_yF-wBuKXke3Mtuc3QxrrJ/view?usp=drive_link 

We did miss capturing the introduction to the piece played for the encore (which was not listed in the program).

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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"

Franklin High School Hosts Veteran-Led Panel During New WIN Block

Franklin High School celebrated Veterans Day by hosting a special panel discussion led by members of the district community who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Franklin High School hosted a veteran-led panel discussion on Wednesday,
Nov. 12, in honor of Veterans Day. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

The event took place during the district's new WIN Block, a flexible period added to this year's schedule that provides targeted academic support, intervention, and enrichment.

For this block on Wednesday, Nov. 12, teacher and U.S. Coast Guard veteran Charles Fidler organized a panel of fellow veterans to share their experiences and answer students' questions.

The panel included:

• Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Sergeant, United States Marine Corps — TOW Platoon, 25th Marine Regiment, mobilized during Operation Enduring Freedom
• Charles Fidler, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Science Technician — Port security, counter-terrorism, and drug interdiction missions during the Global War on Terror
• Mark Terra-Thomas, Army National Guard — Civil Affairs (1993-99)
• Christopher Kelly, United States Army, Military Police Corps — 64th Military Police Detachment, Bremerhaven, Germany (1979-81); current Franklin High School history teacher
• Colonel Ryan Levesque (Ret.), United States Army — Field Artillery, 26 years of service across the U.S. and abroad, including Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait
• Officer Paul Guarino, United States Army — Military Police; current Franklin School Resource Officer

Most panelists are current Franklin Public Schools staff members. Colonel Levesque participated as a district parent.

Students heard stories from each veteran and engaged in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session. The program also included recognition of students who plan to enter military service after graduation.

"Our goal was to honor Veterans Day in a meaningful way and give students an open space to learn directly from those who have served," said Fidler, who organized the event. "Their engagement and thoughtful questions made the event a powerful experience for everyone in the room."

Santa StoryWalk at the Library! Saturday, Nov 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM

via the Franklin Public Library:

Families! 

Join us at the library for a special indoor version of a beloved tradition! 

Follow the pages of a cozy winter story, enjoy crafts and activities as you move through our winding line of holiday fun, and make your way up to meet the big guy himself.

Santa StoryWalk at the Library! Saturday, Nov 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Finding The Light Year 5 has kicked off!

Via Amy Adams/Painting Venus:

Each week starting this Sunday November 30th through the end of December, I’m hiding a piece of original art somewhere in downtown Franklin, wrapped and ready for you to discover. Clues drop mid week, and the treasure appears Sunday mornings in a surprise spot.

Created with silver or gold accents, each piece carries a little glow to share hope and joy. This year, I invite you to share the light: take it, gift it, or pass it along.

Let’s keep kindness alive across town. Here are a few of the things I have done to help Franklin sparkle. Www.PaintingVenus.art

Finding The Light Scavenger Art Gift Away Week 1:

In the heart of town where stories stay,

A longtime shop frames light each day.

Inside, colors change with care,

Yet the green frames still greet the square.

See through glass where time feels kind…..

your art of light is yours to find.

#findingthelight #franklinma #shareyourlight #communityart #paintingvenus_ #ArtWithPurpose #ArtThatHeals

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CgWU29XcT/

Boston Globe: "The majority of working-age people on food stamps have jobs"

"The problem isn't that we have 42 million participating on SNAP," FitzSimons said. "The problem is that we have 42 million people living in poverty in a system where the minimum wage is nowhere near the livable wage." 

"People who rely on government assistance are often subject to the same three-word admonishment: Get a job.

But many already have one.

In Massachusetts, 74 percent of working-age recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are employed, half of them full-time.

Boston Globe: "The majority of working-age
people on food stamps have jobs"

At a time when the food-stamp system is under fire and more strict work requirements are starting to kick in, a Globe review of companies with the most SNAP recipients in the state shows many are employed by high-profile companies in retail, health care, and the gig economy.

Nearly 2,500 work for Amazon and another 2,300 work for Walmart. Uber, DoorDash, and Tempus Unlimited, a Stoughton developmental disabilities provider, each have more than 1,400 workers who rely on food stamps, according to data obtained from the state Department of Transitional Assistance, which administers the federal program."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/metro/snap-food-stamps-employers-massachusetts/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, November 29, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin 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 Saturday

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 Saturday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, November 28, 2025 ???

Friday, November 28

• 
  One day trash/recycle curbside pick up delay due to holiday 
• if scheduled for Thursday, you'll get picked up today
• if scheduled for Friday, you'll get picked up Saturday
• FDP Holiday Gift Guide available today ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/holiday-happenings-gift-guide-online.html

8:00am Senior Center Closed for the Holiday

10:00am Raydio Holiday Toy Drive 

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (CLOSED for this weekend)

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

----------

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

"Franklin in Miniature" exhibit opens at Historical Museum - Saturday, Dec 6

The Franklin Historical Museum and Franklin Historical Commission cordially invites you to the Grand Opening of our new exhibit "Franklin in Miniature"! 

Please join us for the opening ceremony at 10 AM on December 6, or visit us anytime in the months of December and January to view the exhibit!

The new HO scale train exhibit adds the Franklin Mill Store complex to that of  "Train Town 1" (Franklin Dean Station) and "Train Town 2" (the former Thompson Press & the roundhouse)

Listen to my conversations with Scott Mason as we talk about 

Train Town 1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/talking-about-train-town-franklin-with.html 

Train Town 2 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/12/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town.html 

Train Town 3 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/11/scott-mason-talks-about-train-town-3.html

KP tops FHS football on Thanksgiving (video)

The Franklin High School football team hosted the King Philip Regional team for the annual Thanksgiving game.

King Philip, 49 @ Franklin, 19 – Final

• 1st Quarter: (KP) Tallan King 14-yard rush, Nate Crowley XP good.
• 2nd Quarter: (KP) Ryan Greenwood 50-yard rush, N. Crowley XP good; (KP) Zach Gebhard 15-yard pass to T. King, N. Crowley XP good; (F) Alex Weber 2-yard rush, Owen Essam XP good; (KP) T. King 56-yard rush, N. Crowley XP good.
• 3rd Quarter: (KP) Keigan Canto-Osorio 47-yard rush, N. Crowley XP good; (F) Ethan Edmunds 6-yard pass to Stephon Reed, XP no good; (F) E. Edmunds 54-yard pass to S. Reed, Conversion failed; (KP) K. Canto-Osorio 50-yard rush, N. Crowley XP good; (KP) R. Greenwood 1-yard rush, N. Crowley XP good.
• 4th Quarter: No scoring.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkllMlcXAY

KP tops FHS football on Thanksgiving (video)

Quarter summaries shared from HockomokcSports.com

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-27-25/

Over 1000 registrations for the Franklin Turkey Trot helps the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Turkey Trot set a record with more than 1000 race registrations for the Thursday morning event. 

Over 1000 registrations for the
Franklin Turkey Trot helps
the Franklin Food Pantry

There were 878 official finishers. The race/walk results can be viewed online here https://www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=371921

or with this complete result PDF here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W5sKXlESnPtkpHBAnv5_WqqmF_7GojLw/view?usp=drive_link

The financial benefit for the Franklin Food Pantry will be available later.

If you would like to contribute to the Franklin Food Pantry, there are several options to do so ->  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-gifts/

Rise Up Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 20

The Rise Up Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 20. Anyone 18+ is welcome to attend, with or without a disability.

Please help maintain a fragrance-free and sensory-friendly environment. Please avoid the use of any scented products while in attendance (perfume, cologne, body spray, scented lotion, strongly scented detergent, etc.)

Date: Saturday, December 20

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (come and go any time)

Rise Up Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 20

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church at 82 West Central Street

Parking: On the left side of the building

Entrance: On the left side of the building, either a choice of a ramp or stairs

Restrooms: Handicap accessible gender-neutral restroom

Environment: Cheerful, yet calm 

Food and Drinks: Free variety of food and drinks

Activities: Making holiday cards and socializing 

Anyone can learn more about Rise Up here.

You can also follow Rise Up on Facebook here.

Aging Boldfully: Roberta Trahan (video)

Aging Boldfully is a new show on Franklin TV's All Access channel hosted by Susan Rohrbach. Roberta Trahan was Susan's next guest for this new show.

The show description: 

"Aging Boldfully is about living your next chapter outside of your comfort zone—fully embracing the uniqueness of you.

For many of us, the idea of aging doesn’t appear on our radar until we approach our 60s, when retirement begins to loom. During this time, our attention often narrows to one critical goal: ensuring financial independence. While that focus is important, it can distract us from an equally vital question: What am I going to do with the rest of my life? 

Each of our journeys is unique. Rather than clinging to the tired concept of “retirement,” we have the chance to rethink and redesign this new chapter. What will life look like now that we are the CEO of our own story? 

Aging Boldfully will explore the themes that matter most as we step into this phase—purpose, relevance, resilience, physical health, mental well-being, intentional living, and mindfulness. It will showcase members of our community who are finding meaning, living with purpose, and overcoming obstacles—real examples of what it means to age not just gracefully, but boldfully."

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjaT368IpX8

Aging Boldfully: Roberta Trahan (video)