Take a drive around the eight villages at night this time of year, and you’re going to see a variety of levels of homes decorated for Christmas. We recently toured a bit of Somerset and took some snapshots of what we thought were the most interesting displays, and we present them to you. We invite you to send in your …

The U.S Congress’s Black Caucus is likely to take a more “in your face” approach starting next year in dealing with any Republican attempts to roll back Progressive gains, an audience at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens was told Dec. 10. The speaker was U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12), who appeared at a town hall meeting at the …

  Looking for a doggie day care center, or a high-tech dog wash? The new-concept PetSmart store in the Crossroads at Somerset center, 441 Elizabeth Ave., has both, plus a pet spa. The store held its grand opening Dec. 10 with a day-long celebration featuring a ribbon-cutting, giveaways and pictures with Santa Claus. The 6,000-square-foot store is only the second …

The Blackwells Mills Canal House held its annual holiday party Dec. 9. In addition to a warm fire, cookies and an assortment of beverages, the day offered attendees the chance to sing some modern and traditional Christmas carols. We were there for a couple of them.      

  A school district administrator recovering from two strokes said he “felt the love” Dec. 9 when more than 200 people showed up for a fundraiser for his recovery efforts. They packed the banquet hall at the East Franklin Fire Department headquarters on Pine Grove Avenue for Rodney Wilkerson, the dean of students at Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School. He …

Marian Roth passed away Dec. 9 in Somerset. Born in New Brunswick to Walter and Goldie Klinger, Marian was a lifelong resident of Franklin Township. Taught at a young age to sew, she became a masterful seamstress who handmade beautiful garments, particularly hand-knit slippers, for so many of her family members and friends. A compassionate and generous woman, Mrs. Roth …

Ronald Stashek, 69, passed away Dec. 7 at his home in Bloomsburg Pa. Mr. Stashek was born in Somerville and lived in Manville and East Millstone prior to moving to Pennsylvania about 15 years ago. He served our country faithfully in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was formerly employed by the Franklin Township Public Works Road …

  A father and son team switched from doughnuts and coffee to burgers and shakes in opening the township’s newest restaurant, Mooyah Burgers, Shakes and Fries. Located in the Crossroads at Somerset center at Elizabeth Avenue and Old New Brunswick Road, the new Franklin Mooyah is the fourth of the company’s franchises in the state, and the 101st in the …

  Students throughout the township participated in a world-wide program Dec. 8 designed to introduce them to computer coding. Called, aptly, the Hour of Code, the 4-year-old program boasts millions of students in more than 180 countries, according to the program’s creators at Code.org. The coding is usually done during the annual Computer Science Education Week  in December. At Franklin …

The deadline is fast approaching for donations to a college fund established for siblings of a township teenager killed over the summer in an automobile accident. Andrew Russoniello, 13, was killed Aug. 29 when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle on Amwell Road. Russoniello was active in the township and Sampson G. Smith school theater community, …