Community Building

First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens is one of 13 local organization receiving a total of nearly $500,000 in grants from the St. Peter’s Healthcare System. The church, located on Somerset Street, received the grant to “support their wellness and care initiatives that addresses health care inequities,” according to a press release about the awards. The grants were given in …

The Hageman House on South Middlebush Road was once again the venue for an annual visit by Sinterklaas on December 4. The celebration of Sinterklaas – who each year rides his horse from Spain to the Netherlands – is a national holiday in that Dutch nation. In Franklin, the day included food, tours of the Hageman House and barns and …

There were plenty of crafts to choose from at the annual St. Matthias HSA Holiday Craft Fair. In yet another indication that the world is somewhat returning to normal, post-Covid, the St. Matthias School Home School Association held a full-fledged Holiday Craft Fair on December 4. This is the first time in three years that the full fair has been …

State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen is holding his annual clothing drive. (File photo). State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen is once again running his “Head to Toe” clothing donation drive. Donations of hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, socks, etc. for children aged 3 to 16 are sought. All clothing must be clean or new. Donations are being accepted from December 1 to February 13, …

Warrior alumni from a variety of classes took over tables at the Twenty/20 Taphouse on Cedar Grove Lane November 25 to cap off “I Love Franklin Week.” The event was sponsored by the Warrior 4 Life Foundation, the 5-year-old organization dedicated to awarding scholarships to Franklin students attending college. Starting November 21, the foundation acknowledged local businesses that had supported …

Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, far right, presented a Council commendation to Mary Lou Bak, co-president of the Franklin Women’s Club. The Township Council awarded commendations to the Franklin Township Women’s Club and the township Environmental Commission at its November 22 meeting. The Council congratulated the Women’s Club on its centennial celebration. The commendation noted that the Women’s Club has undertaken many …

FTPD Sgt. Ariel Almora speaks during the Township’s Veterans’ Day observance. The Township’s annual Veterans’ Day observance was held indoors this year, but the drizzle outside didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended. The event was MC’d by U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Steve Gillooly, and featured a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by PJ Parker and keynote …

The Franklin Reporter & Advocate was out and about on October 28 and 29, bringing you donations, parties and fundraisers. Om October 28, we were at the Franklin Food Bank HQ on Churchill Road where the food bank received a nearly $7,000 cash donation from the Sodhani Foundation and members of the Canal Walk community. Here’s a video of the …

Three township residents were among five people honored October 22 at the National Civics Day celebration held at the Franklin Youth Center on Lewis Street. Township residents honored during the ceremony were Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson, who was given the Unity Award; the Rev. Catina Jackson, who was given the #CitizenStrong Award, and Week of the People president …

A Franklin Park School student decorates her pumpkin Oct. 19 during the school’s Unity Day celebration. Although it’s been celebrated for years, Unity Day 2022 was a first for some students at Franklin Park School. The difference? They got to feel what it was like to go pumpkin-picking. The students never left the school property; the “field” was the school’s …