Community Building

BOWL’D OVER – Attendees were able to pick their own bowls, and then take them around to sampe the various restaurants’ fare. The fifth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank returned to its original home and with its original grandeur on March 26. The event was held at the Doubletree Hotel on Atrium Drive as it was …

Renaissance Cyclists Defeating Cancer United is set to hold its third annual “Fun & Games Show” fundraiser on April 22 at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center, 505 DeMott Lane. The event will run from 2-6 p.m. Participants will have the chance to bid on “Price Is Right” Showcases, a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle Lunch is included in the …

VIVE LES PARTISANS – Michel Mockers speaks after receiving the key to the township from Mayor Phil Kramer. It was 78 years in the making, but Michel Mockers, a member of the French Resistance during World War II, finally received the highest recognition available from his native country at a special ceremony March 21 in the Township Council chamber. Mockers, …

BUDDING HISTORIAN – 13-year-old Markus McParland described parts of his history book on Kingston to members of the township Historic Preservation Commission on March 7. A 13-year-old Kingston resident is putting the final touches on a voluminous history of the Village and is looking for help in tying up some loose ends. Markus McParland, an 8th Grader at the Yinghua …

Franklin Day returns to Colonial Park this year, and organizers are looking for corporate sponsors, food vendors and exhibitors. The annual festival, which hasn’t been in the park for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. September 23 at the park’s Knob Hill Grove near Lot C. More than 20,000 Franklin Township …

NEW SIGNS COMING – The Open Space Advisory Committee discussed new signs for Naruta Park, pictured here, and was asked to consider renaming the Negri-Nepote Grasslands Preserve to honor two deceased township residents. The renaming of the Negri-Nepote Grassland Preserve and new signs for what will be Mettler and Naruta Park was discussed at a recent meeting of the Open …

ESSAY WINNER – Megan Hauss, who won an Honorable Mention in a contest sponsored by the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women, poses with her parents at the D&R Towpath in Franklin. (Photo courtesy SCCSW.) Franklin High School Senior Megan Hauss won one of five honorable mentions in the Somerset County “Inspirational Women” Youth Essay Contest. Hauss’ essay …

More than 1,500 hats, socks, scarves, and gloves for children between the ages of 3 to 16 years were collected by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) during his recent Winter Head-to-Toe clothing drive. The annual event was held this year between December 1, 2022 and February 13, 2023. Danielsen’s office coordinated with New Brunswick-based Elijah’s Promise and Unity Square, and …

The Tour de Franklin is the Franklin Food Bank’s largest fundraiser. (Photo: Franklin Food Bank.) The 34th annual Tour de Franklin Charity Bike Ride, the largest fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank, will be held on April 30 at Franklin High School.  The Tour de Franklin consists of seven events including 62-, 40-, 25-, 10-, and 5-mile rides through Somerset …

The ballroom at the Double Tree Hotel on Davidson Avenue was packed for the 25th annual Franklin Community Breakfast. More than 300 people were encouraged to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of racial equality and equity alive January 18 at the 25th annual Franklin Township Community Breakfast, sponsored by the Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community …