Community Building

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! – Runners take off in the Garden State Track Club’s 10-Miler March 23 in Colonial Park. An estimated 700 runners took part in the race. Close to 900 runners from New Jersey and elsewhere were estimated to toe the line on March 23 at the annual Garden State Track Club’s 10-Miler and Cookie chase …

The 5th annual “March Madness” Tricky Tray to benefit the Franklin High School Athletic Boosters was held March 22 at the high school. More than 300 people showed up to vie for more than 300 baskets and other prizes. A Booster Club officer estimated that at least $20,000 was raised. Don’t Miss Out! No other media outlet covering Franklin Township …

SIGN CONTROVERSY – This sign in the front yard of a DeMott Lane home has sparked a response from Mayor Phil Kramer, Councilmember Ed Potosnak and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. A DeMott Lane resident is once again causing controversy with a sign placed on his front yard. The sign pictures a small boy under the large text: “Boys have a …

FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER – Derek Smith, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Bank, center, speaks to two attendees during the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the DoubleTree Hotel. It was all smiles among the Franklin Food Bank officials March 9 after the seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event …

CELEBRATING WOMEN – Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson, Somerset County Surrogate Tina Jalloh, and Township Deputy Mayor Shepa Uddin (left to right) talk to attendees at the March 7 Thinai America International Women’s Day celebration at the Township Library. Celebrating the successes of local women in politics was the theme of the International Women’s Day …

SINGING FOR RAMADAN – Members of the Little Nasheeds Girls of New Jersey sing during the annual Ramadan Lighting Ceremony held February 23 at the Township Senior/Community Center. The Township’s fifth annual observance of the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was held on February 23 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The highlight of the observance was …

STARTING THE EVENT WITH SONG – Jamar Anderson sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to begin the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Commission’s Black History Month BASH at the Senior/Community Center. Dance, singing and poetry were the focus of a Black History Month celebration held February 22 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. Sponsored by the township Cultural Arts Commission, the …

MOTHER LANGUAGE CELEBRATION – Performers from the S&R Band & Friends prepare for a song during the International Mother Language Day celebration on February 22. The 25th annual International Mother Language Day was celebrated with speech and song February 22 at the Franklin Township Library’s main branch on DeMott Lane. Created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization …

The Somerset Community Action Program (SCAP) and Franklin Township are offering a construction and carpentry certification training program to Franklin Township residents affected by the Covid pandemic. The program begins March 3, with courses offered 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at the Franklin Township Board of Education administration building, 2301 Route 27. Don’t Miss Out! No other …

CLOTHING FOR A CAUSE – FHS students collect clothing donations February 8 at FMS-Sampson G. Smith campus. Dozens of bags of gently worn clothing were dropped off February 8 at the Franklin Middle School’s Sampson G. Smith campus for the semi-annual clothing drive to benefit Project Graduation. The drives are held in the Winter and Spring, and are among the …