The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
The first weekend of December in the township is usually quite busy, holiday-wise, and this one was no exception.
Events held on Dec. 2 included the annual Greens and Goodies craft sale, held by the Griggstown Historical Society; the St. Matthias Crafts Sale, and the Second Chance for Animals’ Santa Paws fundraiser.
It was all barks and meows at Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School, where Second Chance for Animals held its annual Santa Paws fundraiser.
Santa Claus was on hand for pictures to be taken with pets alone or pets and their humans. For $20, an owner can choose two 4×6-inch pictures, or a USB thumb drive with all of the poses.
There’s also a variety of hand-made frames, toys and other pet-related items for sale.
The Santa Paws event continues from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the school.
Here are two live-stream videos the Franklin Reporter & Advocate took during the day (we apologize for the static on the first video; some of the information is repeated in the second video):
https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1347654388679603/
https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1347670095344699/
The Griggstown Historical Society’s sale was held in the old one-room schoolhouse behind the Griggstown Reformed Church on Canal Road.
The event has been ongoing since 1978, and is the organization’s biggest fundraiser, said president John Thallmer.
Board member Susan Stelmach, the event’s organizer, said this year’s goodies included items donated from a Princeton bread company.
“This year we had a donation from the Terra Momo Bread Company, and we’re selling some olive oil, focaccia seasonings, ciabatta and baguettes as well,” she said.
Other goodies that were offered for sale included baked goods such as cookies. Hot mulled cider was also available.
Greenery cuttings donated by local farms formed the basis for wreaths and centerpieces offered for sale, she said.
“We make them ourselves,” Stelmach said.
Over in the St. Matthias School cafeteria, the Home School Association held its 31st annual craft sale.
More than 50 vendors offered their wares during the day, selling everything from Christmas decorations to toys and clothing.
“We had a lot of jewelry, a lot of candles,” said Colleen Eriksen, the sale committee chairwoman. “We also have raffles for toys for the children.”
“We had a pretty good turnout today,” she said.
Mary Lynch, the HSA president, said the fair is the organization’s largest fundraiser.
The association runs a variety of events throughout the year, in partnership with school teachers and parents, she said.
“We do different fundraising events, and family gathering vents like trunk or treat,” she said. “There are movie nights, a fall festival, a whole bunch of different activities.”
