Community Building

Approximately 300 people gathered at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Davidson Avenue October 5 to help Second Chance for Animals in its biggest fundraiser of the year. Second Chance is the organization that provides the bulk of operating expenses for the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. The event sold out weeks ago, and is one of the hottest tickets among the …

The work of about 24 township artists was on display October 5 in the second annual “Not Quite Wine & Cheese Art Opening,” held at the Franklin Township Senior/Community Center. The inaugural event was held last year in the municipal building lobby, but response to it had organizer Saffie Kallon thinking maybe a bigger space was needed this year. Kallon, …

The 19th annual edition of the Sister 2 Sister 5K Run/Walk for Life was held under sunny skies in Colonial Park on October 5. Hundreds of walkers and runners – spanning the age gap from child to senior citizen – showed up to show their support for the 24-year-old organization headquartered on Hamilton Street. Sister 2 Sister’s mission is to …

The first Franklin Day since before the Covid-19 pandemic was scheduled for September 28, and township officials weren’t going to let rain stop that. An estimated 1,000 people donned rain gear and umbrellas to fend off the rain to visit a number of vendors, organizations and Township tables during the 5-hour event. Musical acts and cultural exhibits were also featured …

GIVING THANKS – David Carcieri, CEO of the Greater Somerset County YMCA, expresses his thanks for the $750,000 allocated by the state and distributed by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen for the construction of a Y in Franklin. The fundraising campaign for a township-based YMCA branch got a large boost from the state on September 24. State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) …

HAPPY REUNION – Abie Bangura (second from left) holds Cyrus, her 8-month-old puppy, who wandered away from home on September 22. Puppies were made for happy endings. That was the case recently for township resident Abie Bangura and her family who were happily reunited with Cyrus, their 8-month-old Mini Australian Shepherd. Bangura was frantic when Cyrus wandered away from their …

More than 200 bicyclists and walkers signed up for the 15th annual RCDCU Bike-a-Thon for Prostate Cancer Awareness, held September 21. The event started and ended at the township Senior/Community Center Cyclists chose from routes of 10, 30 and 50 miles, while walkers had a 3-mile walk along DeMott Lane and New Brunswick Road. Final numbers on the amount raised …

EXPLAINING THE PLAN – Sohum Gupta, a local Boy Scout, explains his Eagle Scout project to the Open Space Advisory Committee. A township Boy Scout recently received support from the Open Space Advisory Committee for his Eagle Scout project. The committee on September 17 unanimously voted to provide $928 to the Scout, Sohum Gupta,to subsidize the costs of the project, …

RIDING FOR CHARITY – The annual RCDCU fundraising ride for prostate cancer awareness is set to kick off on September 21 at the Township Community/Senior Center. (File photo.) The annual RCDCU Bike-A-Thon to fight prostate cancer is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 21. The bike-a-thon’s start and finish is at the Franklin Township Community/Senior Center, 505 DeMott …

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – The Somerset County Office on Aging is looking for centenarians to celebrate. Submitted by the Somerset County Office on Aging. The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disabilities Services is seeking nominations for residents who are 100 years and older in recognition of National Centenarian’s Day. Centenarians will be honored at a special luncheon on September 23 …