Congratulations to Dean College!

The Dean College Community will officially celebrate the investiture of Kenneth Elmore, J.D. as the 14th president and inauguration of Edward M. Augustus, Jr. as the first chancellor of Dean College with a series of events leading up to the historical installation ceremony on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Thursday, October 13, 2022 - Discovering and Re-Discovering Mesopotamia: An Installation and Investiture Afternoon Salon

The Dean College community is invited to explore ideas through an afternoon salon featuring accomplished leaders in higher education. The salon will take place in the Marvin Chapel located in Dean Hall on the Dean College campus. All are welcome.

·      1:00 - 1:45 p.m. - Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Emory University. Fear + Less Dialogues - How do we reclaim how we gather and reinvigorate our conversations in real time and in real life?

·      2:00 - 2:45 p.m. - Dr. Rob Lawson, Professor of History, Dean College. The Blues of Accommodation, The Blues of Resistance - A strange freedom that built movements and a nation.

·      3:00 - 3:45 p.m. - Dr. Keith Magee, Chair and Professor of Practice of Social Justice, Newcastle University. Building Towards the End of Racism - We start the journey to end racism now. Do we have the tools? Do we have the imagination? 

Friday, October 14, 2022 - Dean will celebrate the inaugural Chancellor of Dean College, Edward M. Augustus, Jr., and the 14th President of Dean College, Kenneth Elmore, J.D. with a historical Installation Ceremony.

The Installation processional will begin at 2:45 p.m. on Awpie Way, with the ceremony to begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. in Pieri Gymnasium. After the ceremony concludes, a community celebration will be held in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event is open to all. An RSVP is required for both the Installation Ceremony and the community celebration. A livestream of the ceremony will be available for those unable to attend in person.

To learn more about the events and to RSVP for the ceremony, visit www.dean.edu/installationcelebration.

Cultural Wednesdays newsletter is shared in partnership with Franklin Matters/Franklin.news, and features arts and culture in Franklin. Note: Events subject to change.

FPAC presents: The Sound of Music 

Opening this weekend!

October 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, Franklin Performing Arts Company presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music at THE BLACK The production stars Broadway’s Sara Jean Ford and features Nick Paone, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Jillian Paige, and choreography by Christopher Rice-Thomson!

Select FPAC for ticket purchase and performance information. THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street. Photo by Emily Croft.

Escape into Fiction

Books, Art, and More

• Wednesday, October 12, Franklin's Newcomers Meeting, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Come in and see what this group is about.
• Wednesday, October 19, Poetry Night at 6:00 pm, hosted by Jamele Adams
• Tuesday, October 25,  Book of the Month Club discusses, "A Well Behaved Woman" by Theresa Anne Fowler at 6:00 pm.
• Wednesday, October 26, Hosting Author Leslie Connor for Franklin Middle Schools, Everyone welcome! 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Select Bookstore for more information. Escape into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main Street.

La Cantina - Weekend at the Winery

La Cantina Winery offers music performances, as well as delicious wines.

• Thursday, October 13, David Penza, Music, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• Friday, October 14, Sioo, Music, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• Saturday, October 15, AK Cody, Music, 4:00 to 7:00 pm

Select La Cantina for more information. La Cantina Winery, 357 Union Street.

Farmers Market - on the Town Common

Friday, October 14, Franklin Farmers Market  will be on the Town Common providing an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy the music of Matt Zajac. All happening from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Matt Zajac's performance is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural Council. Enjoy! Select Market for more information.

67 Degrees Brewing - in the Taproom

• Friday, October 14, Scott Damgaard, Acoustic Guitarist, 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Also, enjoy Papalias Pizza ... Wood-fired mobile pizza truck, 4:30 to 8:30 pm or until sold out.

• Saturday, October 15, Northeast Groove, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Sunday, October 16, Caribbean Press Food Truck, 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

Select 67 Degrees for more information. 67 Degrees Brewing, 158 Grove Street.

Walk for the Poor

on the Town Common

Saturday, October 15, Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Mary Parish is holding its annual Walk for the Poor, rain or shine, October 15 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon on the Town Common. 100% of all proceeds go to Franklin residents in need. Registration begins at 8:00 am. Walk begins at 9:00 am on the Town Common.

Participants can register and collect donations or donate online at www.fopwalk.org/eventlisting/eventdetail/?eventid=2750  They can also send a check to SVdP, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA 02038.  Select SVdP for  more information.

Board Game Fun

at the Franklin Public Library

Tuesday, October 18, Board Game Group meets 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This a monthly group dedicated to the great board games out there and a space to find some new people to play with! Try and new game! Introduce your favorite! Play games! Contact: Mitzi Gousie [email protected].

The Fall Storywalk, The Leaf Thief, continues at DelCarte Recreation & Conservation Area on Pleasant Street.  Select Library for more information. Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street.

Franklin Health Department

First Annual Health Fair

Wednesday, October 19, First Annual Health Fair at the Franklin Public Library for Franklin Health Departments from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event will include multiple live performances, local vendors, health screenings, local health resources, exhibitors, free Night Owl Farm produce, food trucks, activities for kids, raffles & freebies, and much more! Select Health for more information.

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

on the Main Stage

Dean College

October 20 - 23, Dean College Theater presents, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People on the Main Stage. Originally produced in 1895, this play by Oscar Wilde includes clever dialogue, wry wit, and elaborate plot twists. This is the initial student production of the 2022 - 2023 academic year.

Select box office for dates, times, and ticket information for this production and other theater and dance productions. The Main Stage is located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center on the Dean College campus.

Marketing Your Small Business and Nonprofit

Lifelong Learning Institute/FPS

Register now. Do you own a small business or nonprofit and would like to develop a sound marketing strategy, create tactics that are scaled to your organization and budget, and execute your plan across multiple marketing platforms? Please join our instructor Jim Barton owner of Allegra Marketing Print & Mail for a one-night workshop on Tuesday, November 1st from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Franklin High School. The cost is $30. For more information and to register visit them at FranklinLifelongLearning.com or select Lifelong.

It's Pumpkin Time!

The Pumpkin Patch continues at St. John's Episcopal Church. The 3rd Annual Pumpkin and Gourd Sale continues through October 30. Select St. John's for more information about dates and times the Pumpkin Patch is open. St. John's is located at 237 Pleasant Street.

Franklin Cultural Council Grants

Remember ... FY23 Grant Applications are open and have an application deadline of October 17.

To learn more about this grant opportunity select FCC Grant.

Mass Cultural Council Grants

Massachusetts Cultural Council has a grant designed to help arts and culture creatives and gig workers in their recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic. Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals, select here. 

Cultural District Committee

Welcomes MCC Program Officers

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is honored to welcome Carolyn Cole and Guelmi Espinal, Program Officers for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the afternoon of Thursday, October 20. They will tour the Cultural District and gather at THE BLACK BOX around 3:00 pm for a meeting of the Franklin Cultural District Partners.

Franklin's Cultural District Committee (FCDC) engages, promotes, celebrates, and collaborates with Franklin's artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions, and businesses. 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee partners with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, and the Town of Franklin to promote arts and culture in Franklin.

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, 

Roberta Trahan