FHS selections for Hockomock League recognitions 2025-2026 Indoor Track & Field Season

"Congratulations to our athletes who were selected as Hockomock League MVP, All-Stars and Honorable Mentions for the 2025-2026 Indoor Track & Field Season."

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8iO5Njumh/

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DV8ibAwDqRH/

Visit with Author Ali Rheaume at the Franklin Public Library - Friday, March 20 at 3:30 PM

 Visit with Author Ali Rheaume at the Franklin
Public Library - Friday, March 20 at 3:30 PM

"Free family fun this Friday at the Franklin Library!

*All ages and abilities are welcomed and included

If you want a book signed, there are no sales at this event, so you can grab a copy here: https://alirheaume.com/buddythebrain"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/17oEMUjkUn/

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered: Weds, March 18, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

 What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

                How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, volunteer Community Information Director for Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have.

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center  and via Zoom

Note: we are scheduled to be joined remotely by a School Committee member for this session

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form, or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me:  https://forms.gle/Nh8RxkMtG1J1DGwj9

Time to get your Franklin (MA) Questions Answered:
Weds, March 18, 11:00 AM at the Senior Center or via Zoom

Rotary SEEKING FHS or TRi-COUNTY SOPHOMORES !!!

Do you or someone you know, have what it takes to become a dynamic leader and change yourself and the world? 

Rotary SEEKING FHS or
TRi-COUNTY SOPHOMORES !!!

Please write a short essay about why you are interested in RYLA (Rotary Young Leadership Award) and how you will benefit from this award, and email us at: rotarycluboffranklinma@gmail.com. 

If you are selected as one of the four recipients, you will be required to join Rotary Club of Franklin MA at our July 21st, 2026 meeting, and tell us about your experience.

Becoming a Rotary member connects individuals with a diverse group of men and women professionals, from all over the world, who share a drive to give back.

Through regular meetings and events, we Rotarian’s: Discuss our community's needs and develop creative ways to meet them. We strive to connect with other leaders who are changing the world.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive 3 days, 2 overnights, of action packed, interactive and introspective sessions, specifically for High School Students. This program is designed to help students stretch and grow and includes a variety of challenges and enriching sessions. 

The RYLA leadership experience is organized by Rotary Clubs and districts, where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. This award will be given to four deserving  Sophomore students, with a proven record of commitment to their school, community or extracurricular activities, and is designed to reward these student leaders, who have served as heads of clubs, student bodies and more. Even captains of sports clubs may qualify as leaders.

OFFICIALLY SPONSORED students, must commit to all 3 days and will need to register online at https://ryla7910.org/ as an “Attendee”, by 4/15/2026. This will require students to apply between February 1 and March, 20, 2026. We will make our selection from these essays and will notify FHS Student by 4/1/2026.  Please see all requirements below. 

What our Officially Sponsored Students can look forward to:

Conference Dates and Locations

June 26 – 28, 2026

3 days, 2 overnights  

Early Friday morning until Sunday early evening

Fitchburg State University

138 North Street,

Fitchburg, MA 01420

(978) 665-3000  www.fitchburgstate.edu

Family Reception & Closing Ceremony – (Sunday 2026) (typically mid-late afternoon) 

Family Reception, Sunday (typically mid-late afternoon)  June 28, 2026

Park in North 1 – 138 North St (where you dropped off your student)

Holmes Dining Hall (381 North street)

Join us for light refreshments

Meet Rotarians

Learn about Rotary

optional but encouraged.    

Closing Ceremony

Sunday, time TBD, June 28, 2026

5 min - Walk from closing reception to closing ceremony*

Family and Friends are encouraged to attend   

Weston Auditorium

353 North Street, Fitchburg MA

*Parking is available across from Weston for people with mobility issues, however, we encourage people who are able to park in North 1 and walk to Weston (5-10 min walk)

Student luggage will be picked up from Aubuchon (near arrivals/near North 1) after closing ceremony

Community concert features The Shams - Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 PM

Community concert features The Shams
 - Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 PM

The Franklin UMC is excited to welcome The Shams for its March Community Concert. The Shams are an Irish Pub Band comprised of several Franklin residents.

To learn more about The Shams, go to https://www.facebook.com/smokeandstrongwhiskey.

This concert is FREE and open to the public. 

To learn more about the Community Concerts, go to https://franklinumc.org/community/concerts.

Shared from - https://fb.me/e/4e4qV36kr

Franklin Police Officers Luther and McVicar interview on MyFM in the Morning (audio)

During the Blizzard of ’26, Franklin Police Officers Luther and McVicar stepped up when their community needed them most. After receiving a call from an elderly couple dealing with serious illnesses, the officers responded — only to find the request was for something simple, yet essential: a carton of milk and help clearing their driveway.

Without hesitation, they delivered.

It’s a powerful reminder that being a first responder is about more than emergencies — it’s about showing up for your community in every way possible.

Hear the full story straight from Franklin’s finest in their interview on MyFM in the Morning:

https://soundcloud.com/myfm1013/myfm-in-the-morning-franklin

MyFM1013 · MyFM in the Morning - Franklin Officers Luther & McVicar

Boston Globe: "That pot of money has pretty much run out"

"Communities across the state are facing intense financial pressure this spring, as inflation causes expenses to surge.

Boston Globe: "That pot of money has pretty much run out"

In affluent Marblehead, local officials are even considering closing the town library, just two years after a $10 million renovation, to balance the books.

The coastal town has a $7 million budget deficit, as rising health care and employee pension costs outpace tax revenue, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said.

“Marblehead on the revenue side has been relying on so-called free cash, basically savings from the past,” Kezer said. “That pot of money has pretty much run out.”

As a worst-case scenario, officials are considering shutting down five other town departments, the Council on Aging, the Health Department (except the health agent), Community Development and Planning, and Recreation and Parks."

Continue reading the article with this 'share' link - 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/17/metro/marblehead-budget-deficit-risks-library-closure/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Follow the Franklin Finance Committee Budget hearings April 6 through 9. Get a good dose of information on the school funding tonight at the joint Town Council and School Committee meeting

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm Schedule for Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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 recent Town Council Quarterbacking session with Councilor Morrongiello   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/councilor-morrongiello-provides-some.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 311 - The Liquid Jazz Experience with Inventor Michael Fors  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_0924637746.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, March 18, 2026 (Your local Public, Education & Government "PEG" station)

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

7:30 am Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

8:30 am United Methodist Church: Michael Rivelis

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Rachael Diamond Calow

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:30 pm Cook with Linda: Pork Tenderloin

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 1

3:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Peter Glass

6:00 pm Metrowest Summit 02-26-26

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: The Kennedys

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

7:00 am 6th Grade Winter Music 02-10-26

8:30 am Jazz Cafe 03-06-26

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:00 am FHS Winter Music: Band and Wind Ensemble

1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Norwood 01-24-26

4:00 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

8:00 pm Rec Basketball: 6 - 8th Grade Girls 03-07-26

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball v Mansfield 01-27-26

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

8:00 am Town Council 03-04-26

1:00 pm Town Council 03-04-26

6:00 pm Town Council CHAMBERS 894 4938 1756

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, March 17 ???

Tuesday, March 17 = St. Patrick's Day

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

5:00pm All Town Chorus/Orchestra Concerts (Franklin High School)

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

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   ***

Pole Petition Hearing

Tuesday, March 17 Time: 12:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03172026-2178 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, March 17 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03172026-2190 

----------

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

All Town Showcase Concerts scheduled for Tues - 3/17 and Thurs - 3/19

via the Franklin Music Boosters

"Please join us for All Town Showcase Concerts on 3/17 and 3/19. These concerts are expected to be very busy with large crowds, so save time by purchasing gate donations, raffle tickets, or merchandise online before the show! 

3/17 Chorus/Orchestra (with detail schedule): https://givebutter.com/2026-ATS

3/19 Band (with detail schedule): https://givebutter.com/2026-ATS-B

All Town Showcase Concerts scheduled for Tues - 3/17 and Thurs - 3/19

The All Town Showcase concerts celebrate the upcoming MICCA Festival performance for each ensemble and serve as a "practice run" in a formal setting with an audience.  We like to call this the "MCAS" of music.  At this festival, each group performs in front of a panel of highly respected judges who assess our performances, providing feedback and a score aligning to a performance rubric.  This is always considered one of the highlights of our year. Please join us to celebrate the talented students in our middle school and high school ensembles.

Pardon the broken schedule for this particular evening. We are fortunate to have a large contingent of talented chorus students this year!

4:30 pm - 6th Grade chorus students arrive through the community entrance (normal auditorium/gym doors)

5:00 pm - performance starts

5:30 pm - Grades 7-12 chorus students arrive as follows:

• 7/8th Grade chorus students should arrive through the main office door (right side) and meet in the media center
• FHS chorus students please meet in the chorus room
• parents may park and enter through the community entrance (auditorium/gym doors)

6:00 pm - performance starts

6:15 pm - Grade 6-12 orchestra students arrive through the cafeteria doors around the back of the building

7:00 pm - parents may enter for the orchestra performance when the chorus audience has fully exited

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Byhug75XQ/

James Keelaghan to perform at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - March 28, 7:30 PM

͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

James Keelaghan March 28, 2026  7:30 PM $25 Doors open at 7:00 pm.  Known for his rich baritone voice and masterful storytelling, James Keelaghan is one of Canada's most respected folk singer-songwriters. With songs that blend traditional folk, roots revival, and Celtic influences, Keelaghan weaves history and humanity into every lyric. From the haunting beauty of "Kiri's Piano"—a reflection on the internment of Japanese Canadians—to the moving "Cold Missouri Waters", inspired by the Mann Gulch fire, his music captures the power of real lives and moments in time. Join us for an unforgettable evening as James Keelaghan brings his warmth, wit, and poetic songwriting to our stage. It's folk music at its finest—deeply personal, yet universally resonant. Upcoming Shows Vance Gilbert, April 11 Susan Werner, May 9

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA