May 1

Virtual Author Talk, Genius, Power & Deception on the Eve of WW1 – Author Talk with Douglas Brunt, 3 p.m., presented by Bellingham Public Library, visit https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma.

Second Annual SAFE Coalition Gala, Lakeview Pavilion, dinner, live auction, speakers, keynote speaker Rob Ninkovich. https://www.safecoalitionma.org/gala-tickets 

CONNECTING WOMEN LEADERS Women in Business Pop-Up Shop, 5-7 p.m., The Willows at Medway. 44 Willow Pond Circle, Medway MA

May 2

Best Graduation Photos! 6:30 p.m., with professional photographer Steve McGrath, Franklin Public Library

May 3

Adults Only Casino Night, 7:30-11 p.m., Franklin Elks Lodge #2136, Franklin, MA, fundraiser for Clyde Brown Home School Association, Millis, $75 pp includes dinner, dancing, gaming chips, raffles, prizes, bit.ly/CFBCasinoNight 

May 4

Franklin Disability Expo, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill. St., Franklin

Horace Mann Birthday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., Franklin, cake, coffee, a short documentary, and a Mann-inspired episode of The Twilight Zone are some festivities planned.

Exsultet presents “You Are the One,” choral concert, 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 725 Washington St., Holliston, www.exsultet.us

Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel! 1 p.m., teen program, Franklin Public Library, In partnership with the Franklin Public Middle Schools. Writer, illustrator, and graphic novelist Jarrett J. Krosoczka will talk about his creative process and participate in interactive breakout sessions. Photo ops and book signings too! Possible by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council.

May 5

This Old Thing? An Antique Appraisal Adventure with Jim Johnston, 1-5 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, Appraisals are ‘on-the-spot’ and oral and are $5 for the first appraisal and $3 for additional items, up to an event maximum of three items and $11.

My Mother’s Eyes, Book Talk and Presentation by Miriam Ornstein, 2 p.m., Franklin Public Library, Franklin

May 7

Norfolk County Register of Deeds Office Hours, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Franklin Town Hall Council Chambers, 355 East Central St., Franklin

May 8

Virtual Author Talk, Murder Mystery, Family Story, and Love Story – Author Talk with Nina Simon, 7 p.m., presented by Bellingham Public Library, visit https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma.

Metal Stamping for Teens, 2:45 p.m., Bellingham Public Library, 100 Blackstone St., Bellingham, learn to hammer initials or a word onto metal. Make a friendship tag, pendant or keychain. Drop in! Funded by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council, a local agency, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

May 9

PULSE Young Professionals Coffee & Connections, BINGO Networking, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Cote’s Kitchen, 3 Farm Street | Upton, Members: Free, Future Members: $10, https://www.tricountychamberma.org/events#!event/2024/5/9/pulse-coffee-conenctions

May 10

BEN 4 Franklin launch party, 7 p.m., Franklin TV Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street. short speaking program with featured speaker Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, this interactive event includes discussion of Franklin past and hopes for future, storytelling, and artistic expression. Light refreshments

May 11

BEN 4 Franklin Community Walk-and-Talk (accessible to wheels and paws), 10:30 a.m. starting at Franklin TV, 23 Hutchinson St., Franklin, 90-minute Jane Jacobs Walk (rain or shine) led by Cobi Frongillo and Franklin Matters’ Steve Sherlock to explore history, physical structure and architecture of Franklin’s built downtown environment. Participants invited to gather afterwards at La Cantina Winery to share thoughts. 

Charles River Chorale and the Charles River Children’s Choir present their Spring Concert, Road Trip across America, 7 p.m. Medway High School Auditorium. Doors open 6:30 p.m. www.charlesriverchorale.com

May 12

Second Sunday Speaker Series, 1:15 p.m., (doors open 1 p.m.), Franklin Historical Commission Vice Chair Mary Olsson looks at Franklin early in the 20th century through the exquisite ‘glass negative’ images of homes, businesses and people taken between about 1910 and 1920. Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

May 16

Art on the Table Collage Workshop with Jenny Brown, 6-8 p.m., free collage making workshop by instructor Jenny Brown presented by the Town of Franklin Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen (with Franklin Historical Museum).Visit https://tinyurl.com/franklincollage for information and registration. 

May 17

Franklin Library Book Sale, 1-5 p.m., Franklin Public Library

May 18

Franklin Beautification Day, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., volunteers with trucks meet at 7:30 a.m. at Fairmount Fruit Farm, 887 Lincoln St. Those without trucks meet at 8 a.m. at the municipal parking lot near The Rome restaurant and Ferrera’s Market. Email Eileen Mason at [email protected] to volunteer.

Franklin Library Book Sale, 9 a.m.-noon, Franklin Public Library

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee & Tri-Valley Event Runners 5K, 9 a.m., Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail head on Grove St., Franklin, https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/2024/02/19/1165/ 

Kick Cancer in the Cornhole Tournament, 12 p.m., Fundraiser for Dana Farber in memory of Stacey Bower, 453 Pond St., Franklin, $50 per team of two, $10 per spectator, includes food, water, soda and 1 raffle ticket, kids free, silent auction raffles, games, register by May6, contact [email protected]

Laughter is the Best Medicine: Comedy Mime Show! 1 p.m., Franklin Public Library

May 19

Israeli Dance Class taught by Rina Wegman of Israeli Folkdance Festival, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Bernon Family YMCA, Franklin, funded by Franklin Cultural Council, free.

The Seven New Unitarian Universalist Values, 10 a.m., The First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin

May 20

Planning for Medicare, 6:30 p.m., Bellingham Public Library, 100 Blackstone St., Bellingham

May 21

Tricounty Regional Chamber Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Pinz Bowling, 110 S. Main St., Milford, free for chamber members; $10 others; includes Axe Throwing (must sign waiver), visit www.tricountychamberma.org and find on event calendar.

Virtual Author Talk, Asian American Representation in Literature – Author Talk with Rebecca Kuang, 7 p.m., presented by Bellingham Public Library, visit https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma.

May 23

9th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner, 6-8 p.m., Franklin High School Cafeteria, 218 Oak St., Franklin, Online tickets $22 adults; $12 for students/children 18 years old and younger. Prices increase to $25/$15 respectively at the door the day of the event. https://tinyurl.com/9thEmptyBowls 

Craft Night: Paper Flowers, 6:30 p.m., adult class on making paper flowers with examples of ways to use them in decoration, Franklin Public Library

May 25 

Music at the Blissful Concert! Children’s concert, 10:30 a.m., Franklin Public Library, musician, for children and their grownups

Honey Tasting, 1 p.m., open tasting of five local honeys and grocery store bear, Franklin Public Library

Bee-lieve it or not, there are HUNDREDS of varieties of honey! This sweet treat is a cornerstone of Local agriculture and we’re going to taste the difference! We’ll start with a brief talk on honey making and history in Massachusetts followed by an open tasting of 5 local honeys and the grocery store bear. Mark your tasting sheet and bring it to the Circulation desk for a chance to win a sweet treat!

May 28

“Monsters, Memes, and Momentos,” work of artist Joseph Fontinha opens through June 28, with reception open to public June 15, 1 p.m., Lotvin Family Gallery, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton