News-pourri

NEW COMMANDER – Township resident Laura Johnson, the first female Commander at VFW Post 9111, holds the Commendation given to her by Mayor Phil Kramer. A township resident made history on June 2 when she became the first female Commander installed at VFW Post 9111 in Kendall Park. Laura Johnson, a 20-year veteran of the Navy Reserves was inducted in …

JUNETEENTH PARADE – The annual parade commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States will make its way to Naaman Williams Park for a block party. (File photo.) U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman will be the Grand Marshall of this year’s Juneteenth Parade, set to begin 11 a.m. June 17 at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School, 130 Highland Avenue. …

EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR HONORED – A ballroom at the Imperia was filled with district teachers, administrators, families and friends to take part in the annual ceremony. Twenty district educators were honored June 1 during the annual Educators of the Year breakfast at the Imperia. Honored were Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the year from each …

A “mini Prom” for youths aged 5 to 10 years is set for noon to 4 p.m. June 10 at Somerset Presbyterian Church, 100 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The event’s theme is “Midnight Summer Dreams” with prince and princess attire for all kids.

SALUTE – Members of the Franklin High School JROTC perform during the township’s annual Memorial Day parade. A marching band, military cadets, a Coast Guard flyover and lots of noise highlighted the Township’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony, held May 29. Residents lined DeMott Lane, between New Brunswick Road and the Municipal Complex, starting about an hour before the …

Amendments to the township’s noise ordinance that elicited applause from some Canal Walk residents opposed to a nearby warehouse application was introduced at the Township Council’s May 23 meeting. The ordinance restricts the time that industrial-related loading and unloading operations, as well as the use of vehicles with backup beepers, can be used on properties that abut Scenic Corridors which …

A HEALTHY IDEA – Fran Palm, Zufall’s CEO, talks about the proposed partnership at the May 23 Township Council meeting. The Township Council appears to be heading into a three-way partnership that could result in a permanent community health center established at one of the Franklin Middle School campuses. Council members spoke favorably of a proposal to contribute $1.5 million …

PARTY EMCEE – Windy White, the Township Parks & Recreation Department’s Deputy Director, speaks during the May 20 Franklin Township Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration. The Franklin Township Youth Center threw itself a birthday party on May 20 to celebrate its first year of operation. The Center officially opened its doors on May 14, 2022.

PAYING TRIBUTE – The Franklin Township Police Department’s Honor Guard at the 2022 Memorial Day commemoration. (File photo.) The Franklin Township Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration will commence at noon May 29, with the parade route from New Brunswick Road up DeMott Lane to the Veterans Memorial at the Municipal Complex. Following the parade, a short ceremony at the Veterans …

The Park at Franklin apartment complex on John F. Kennedy Boulevard won Zoning Board of Adjustment approval May 18 to install 10 banners or flags along its main entrance. The flags, which will be about 13 feet high, are intended to add some color to the 63-year-olds complex’s environs, the Board was told.