Community Building

CULTURAL APPRECIATION NIGHT – Schools Superintendent John Ravally was one of many attendees for whom turbans were prepared by members of the Sikh Youth of Franklin group. Franklin Township’s wealth of diversity was on display May 12 at the inaugural Diversity Night Festival at Franklin Middle School – Sampson G.Smith campus. The event featured performances, food and crafts highlighting the …

CONGRESSWOMAN RETURNS – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, seen here speaking at the 2022 Youth Center grand opening, will return to the center on May 20 for its first anniversary. (File photo). U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman will be the featured speaker at the Franklin Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration, slated for noon on May 20. Coleman will speak during the …

There were a number of events in Franklin on May 6, all of which benefited from the perfect Spring weather. The Franklin Reporter & Advocate covered a few of them: Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Township residents Trashaun and JP Powell have been active in the Preeclampsia Foundation since they lost their baby, Mia, in 2013 several hours after birth to …

CHAMBER GALA – The Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce held its 63rd annual gala April 19 at The Marigold. The Franklin Reporter & Advocate received one of seven awards given to organizations and people honored by the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce at its April 19 annual gala. The Reporter co-publishers, Bill Bowman and PJ Parker, were honored in the …

The township Environmental Commission has scheduled two cleanups for later this month. The first is set for Mile Run at 9:30 a.m. to noon on April 15, while the second clean-up is set for Naaman Williams Park, from 3-6 p.m. on April 19. For Mile Run cleanup, the Commission is partnering with the New Brunswick Environmental Commission (NBEC), Lower Raritan …

SCOUT’S HONOR – Dalton Vassanella speaks at the conclusion of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor April 2 at St. Matthias Church. Boy Scout Troop 154 formally welcomed its newest Eagle Scout with an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on April 2. Dalton Vassanella, a senior at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, was given his Eagle Scout Court of …

Submitted by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners. The Somerset County Board of Commissioners is utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to support a second year of Franklin Township YMCA’s Camp SOAR at Colonial Park for under-resourced children from Bound Brook, Manville, Franklin, and South Bound Brook. The Commissioners agreed to fund an additional three weeks in 2023 to extend the Camp SOAR …

NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT – Dalton Vassanella speaks after receiving his commendation from the Township Council. The Township’s newest Eagle Scout received a commendation March 28 from the Township Council. The Scout, Dalton Vassanella, is the son of Township Councilman James Vassanella (D-Ward 5.) The younger Vassanella was awarded his commendation by Mayor Phil Kramer with Vassanella’s father, the Assistant Scoutmaster …

BATTER UP – Somerset County Commissioners Director Shanel Robinson selected the winners of Patriots tickets to use in the Commissioners’ suite at the ballpark. (Graphic: Somerset County Commissioners.) Two township non-profit organizations are among 40 in Somerset County which will receive Somerset Patriots’ tickets for use this season in the Somerset County Commissioners’ private suite at TD Bank Ballpark in …

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – Vendors are sought for the 2023 Juneteenth celebration, slated to be held in Naaman Williams Park. (File photo.) Following the success of its inaugural Juneteenth Parade and Celebration, the SCDC Black Caucus is looking for vendors to participate in this year’s Juneteenth Parade and Celebration to be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 in Naaman Williams Park.  …