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 

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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

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.

Audio of the 12/17/25 Town Council in 3 logical segments (audio)

FM #1612-13-14 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1612-13-14 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The Council held this session as scheduled beginning at 6 PM. All 9 Councilors participated (1 remotely) for this 4 hour session. 

 

• 1612 - covers the opening, Citizen comments, recognitions, alcohol license renewals and everything else except 

• the snow update (see 1613) 

• and the charter discussion (see 1614)  (approx. 2 hours 27 mins)

• 1613 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the DPW snow update  (approx.. 58 minutes)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7855/Snow-Presentation---December-17-2025 

• 1614 - segment from the meeting covering the full discussion on the charter change process  (approx. 45 mins)  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7848/2023-11-01-Town-Charter-Presentation 

Audio 1612 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1612-town-council-mtg-minus-snow-charter-updates-12-17-25/

Audio 1613 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1613-snow-update-to-town-council-12-17-25/

Audio 1614 link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1614-charter-discussion-at-town-council-mtg-12-17-25/

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Additional notes including the video link for the meeting can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/town-council-closes-out-year-approving.html 

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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"