Community Building

The second annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival – organized this year by the SC Juneteenth Committee Inc. – kicked off from Pine Grove Manor elementary school on June 17. The parade made its way up Highland Avenue, then down a stretch of Hamilton Street before turning off at Matilda Avenue and into Naaman Williams Park for the festival. U.S. Rep. …

Most of the Warrior 4 Life Scholarship Foundation‘s 2023 awardees gathered at the Township Cultural Gazebo in the Municipal Complex June 11 for the annual photo op. Foundation founders Nicholas and Rebekah Solomon and Daryn and Adrian Plummer explained the Foundation’s mission and introduced the award winners. This year, 12 graduating seniors were awarded a total of $13,500 in scholarships. …

NEW COMMANDER – Township resident Laura Johnson, the first female Commander at VFW Post 9111, holds the Commendation given to her by Mayor Phil Kramer. A township resident made history on June 2 when she became the first female Commander installed at VFW Post 9111 in Kendall Park. Laura Johnson, a 20-year veteran of the Navy Reserves was inducted in …

JUNETEENTH PARADE – The annual parade commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States will make its way to Naaman Williams Park for a block party. (File photo.) U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman will be the Grand Marshall of this year’s Juneteenth Parade, set to begin 11 a.m. June 17 at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School, 130 Highland Avenue. …

A “mini Prom” for youths aged 5 to 10 years is set for noon to 4 p.m. June 10 at Somerset Presbyterian Church, 100 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The event’s theme is “Midnight Summer Dreams” with prince and princess attire for all kids. The Prom will include a red carpet, music, dancing, food, and a photo booth. Tickets are $15 …

SALUTE – Members of the Franklin High School JROTC perform during the township’s annual Memorial Day parade. A marching band, military cadets, a Coast Guard flyover and lots of noise highlighted the Township’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony, held May 29. Residents lined DeMott Lane, between New Brunswick Road and the Municipal Complex, starting about an hour before the …

A HEALTHY IDEA – Fran Palm, Zufall’s CEO, talks about the proposed partnership at the May 23 Township Council meeting. The Township Council appears to be heading into a three-way partnership that could result in a permanent community health center established at one of the Franklin Middle School campuses. Council members spoke favorably of a proposal to contribute $1.5 million …

PARTY EMCEE – Windy White, the Township Parks & Recreation Department’s Deputy Director, speaks during the May 20 Franklin Township Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration. The Franklin Township Youth Center threw itself a birthday party on May 20 to celebrate its first year of operation. The Center officially opened its doors on May 14, 2022. At the anniversary event, attendees …

PAYING TRIBUTE – The Franklin Township Police Department’s Honor Guard at the 2022 Memorial Day commemoration. (File photo.) The Franklin Township Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration will commence at noon May 29, with the parade route from New Brunswick Road up DeMott Lane to the Veterans Memorial at the Municipal Complex. Following the parade, a short ceremony at the Veterans …

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL – There’s always a wide selection of food at the annual Food Truck Festival. (File photo.) Franklin High School Project Graduation and the Franklin High School Booster Club have announced their annual Food Truck Festival event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. May 20 at Franklin High School, 500 Elizabeth Avenue.  There will be a …