Community Building

As they have for more than 70 years, members of the Millstone Valley Volunteer Fire Department ushered Santa Claus around East Millstone and neighboring Millstone on December 21 to spread Christmas cheer. This is the second year that Grinch has accompanied Santa on his tour, which took place in the afternoon and evening. After the evening run, Santa and Grinch …

Students in the school district’s Road to Success program spent a few hours on December 19 celebrating the upcoming holidays and doing some good. The more than 50 students who gathered at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street Campus were treated to hot chocolate, cookies and pizza for the program’s fourth annual “Cookies & Cocoa” event. “Really the event is …

Fake snowball fights, dodge ball, even a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus highlighted the Holiday JAM for Good held December 13 at the Franklin Township Youth Center on Lewis Street. The JAM – an acronym for Jingle and Mingle – is “really about giving back and partnerships,” said Windy White, the Youth Center’s Director. The two main partnerships that …

Holiday celebrations in the township continued on December 8. Early in the day, the St. Matthias School held its annual Christmas Craft Fair at the school. Vendors of various ilks were brought together to offer their wares, while homemade goodies were available for lunch. All proceeds went back to the school. Nicole Pedicini, the fair’s new chairperson, said she made …

The Franklin Township Police Department is collecting new toys and gently used or new clothing for those in need, now through December 14. The items can be dropped off at the FTPD Community Relations Bureau, 935 Hamilton Street, or at police headquarters, 495 DeMott Lane. For more information, call 732-873-5533 x3124.   Stay ‘In the Know,’ subscribe to the Franklin …

The annual lighting of the Township holiday tree was held on a very chilly December 6. The event was hosted by Stephen Dahl, the Township’s Parks and Recreation Director. A contingent of Boy Scouts carried in the colors and led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Franklin High School Madrigal Singers then presented three selections before the countdown and …

A Town Hall meeting to discuss how the Township will use it’s share of the $1 billion opioid settlement money is set for 7 p.m. December 18 in the Franklin Township Council Chamber, 475 DeMott Lane. Township officials are inviting residents to come and give their opinions on how the money should be used to fight opioid addiction. Special guests …

A free holiday concert featuring the Franklin Township Community Band and the Franklin High School Madrigal Singers is set for 7 p.m. December 13. The concert, sponsored by the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council and the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, will be held at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus, 1649 Amwell Road. Franklin High School student …

The annual East Millstone Tree Lighting was held on a very chilly December 1 evening. More than 50 people showed up to witness the lighting and the rest of the traditional ceremony, which was emceed by MVFD Deputy Chief DJ Coppola. Here’s the tree lighting: The poem, “The Night Before Christmas” was read by members of the East Millstone First …

EQUITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE – Daryn Plummer, the school district’s Supervisor of Equity and Inclusion, discusses the four-year District Equity Plan at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. A four-pronged, four-year plan to ensure equity in education for Franklin Township students was unveiled at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. The so-called District Equity Plan “signifies a dedication …