News-pourri

The Franklin Food Bank raised $90,000 September 30 at its annual “Golf Fore Groceries” fundraiser at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough. “We are incredibly grateful to all of our generous supporters who joined us at this event,” Derek Smith, Executive Director of the organization, said in a press release. “This year’s golf outing was a resounding success, bringing together …

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 Township Council approved the purchase of more than $967,000 worth of goods and services at its September 24 meeting. Contracts awarded were: An amended 3-year contract for Office 365 with CDWG of Shelton, Ct. worth $257,265.99. A contract for a landscape trailer with Cherry Valley Tractor Sales worth $7,499. A $132,514.64 contract with Axon Enterprise of Scottsdale, Az. for …

WARRIOR EDUCATION FOUNDATION – Members of the Franklin Township Warrior Education Foundation appeared at the September 26 Board of Education to talk about the 2023-24 Foundation grants. A variety of classroom projects made possible by grants from the Franklin Township Warrior Education Foundation were highlighted at the September 26 Board of Education meeting. The projects ranged from creating an autism …

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 …

NEW SUPERVISOR – Giselle Perez speaks to the school board after being named the district’s new Supervisor of English Language Arts. A 20-year school district veteran was named as the new Supervisor of Elementary Language Arts by the Boar of Education at its September 26 meeting. Giselle Perez was scheduled to start her new position on September 27, or soon …

BIDDING ADIEU – Orvyl Wilson, the district’s Director of School Management, speaks to the Board of Education September 26 after his upcoming retirement was announced. After nearly a half-century in education, the only person to have served as principal in both Franklin High Schools is set to retire. Orvyl Wilson, who started his educational career in 1976 as a teacher …

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 …