A Wreath-of-Franklin Earns R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Above. entrepreneurs Sarah and Liz, of Franklin Books, make a sale to Senator Becca Rausch at the A Wreath  of Franklin Winter Market staged at the Black Box in Franklin on Saturday Morning.

Sarah and Liz invite residents to scan their QR code and share thoughts about what their future brick & mortar book store should look like!

At 11 am, Cory Shea, above, Franklin's Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy opened the event, which included dozens of vendor booths, live music, and a faux ''apres ski" lounge.  State Rep. Jeff Roy followed Shea with clever welcoming remarks built around lyrics made famous by Aretha Franklin. Sen Rausch and the Franklin Town Councilors present, namely Max Morongiello, Steve Malloy, and Ted Cormier Leger, joined in ringing the opening bell.

Following the ringing of the bell, the doors openqd and a large crowd surged in, keeping the place "hopping" for the next few hours.

Dean College Professor, Tim Ayres-Kerr belting out holiday tunes and leading impromptu singing from the Black Box piano. He was later joined by an a capella singing group.

Realtor Barbara Scardino and Realtor/Town Councilor Ted Cormier Leger stop at the crafting booth offering "keepsake journals"  of Laura Michelle Stevens, 'The Midnight Chef," who also provide catering locally.

At the same time, a block away at the Franklin Historical Museum, children were getting quality time with Mrs. Claus while adults took in the three huge dioramas of "Franklin in Miniature, 1932"-- an exhibit running until the end of  January

One of the last events of the day began at 4 pm at the Franklin United Methodist Church, a story time of winter-themed books and sing-along-seasonal favorites, organized by the new Franklin Fathers group. Above, group co-founder Jayson Joyce delivers a mesmerizing reading of "Be a Good Dragon." Readings were alternated with singing.