Farmers Market
open Fridays
The Franklin County Farmers Market in Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg, is open Fridays 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Field ripe tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, grapes, butter beans, purple hull peas, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, pasture-raised beef, pork, chicken, wildflower honey, sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies, are usually available along with handmade crafts and plants.
For more information call Franklin County Cooperative Extension at 919-496-3344.

Church women planning blood drive
The United Women of Faith of Louisburg United Methodist Church is hosting a blood drive on Monday, Aug. 24, from 1 until 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
To sign up, follow this link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=27549&driveType=all
The American Red Cross has announced it is experiencing a severe blood shortage and recently declared its second-ever blood supply crisis after donations fell to a four-year summer low recently.
The Red Cross is now reporting that is has less that a one-day supply of type O blood.

Franklinton Lions to serve pancakes
The Franklinton Lions Club is planning a pancake supper on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Lions Club building on Chavis Street.
Serving will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and is eat in or carry out.

Edward Best to mark 100 years
If you or your family members have fond memories of Edward Best Elementary School, you might want to mark the date, Saturday, Sept. 12 -- and add a notation of 3 to 7 p.m.
That's the date the school is marking its 100 years of educating youngsters in that district.
A special celebration will include food trucks, family activities, entertainment -- and a chance to reconnect with alumni, former staff and current families of the school.
Editor's note: The Franklin Times is seeking vintage pictures of the school or school activities that we can publish for a future story. Please contact us if you have something that might be pertinent to the upcoming celebration and of interest to the community.

Birdwatchers plan meeting
The Franklin County Birdwatching Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 26, at the Cooperative Extension building at 103 South Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg. The topic will be Fall Migration.
For questions contact Lee Justice at 919-495-2516.

County's Labor Day
schedule revealed
Franklin County officials have announced their schedule for the Labor Day holiday.
•All libraries will be closed Saturday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 7.
•The solid waste transfer station will be open Monday, Sept 7, from 7 a.m. until noon but all convenience centers will be open that Monday 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• The county airport will be open on Monday, Sept. 7
All other Franklin County offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7.

Brodie Family Reunion
All descendants of the Brodie family will come together for a family gathering, Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.
Events include food, activities, prizes, games for the children, music, family heritage acknowledgement, and worship in unity on Sunday Morning at Perry's Missionary Baptist Church, 2269 Laurel Mill Road, Louisburg, NC (near Centerville).
For a complete itinerary and cost, contact Howard Brodie at hbrodie@brodiecon.com, Angela Wilkins Pierce, angelawpierce@gmail.com, or Menetha Brodie Chavis at Menethachavis2014@gmail.com.

Fall Extension gardener classes
Fall Extension Gardener classes will be conducted from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on these dates:
• Sept. 9 - "Container Gardening In Franklin" at Youngsville Library, 218 US-1-A, Youngsville;
• Sept. 16 - "Container Gardening In Franklin" at Bunn Library, 610 Main Street, Bunn;
• Sept. 23 - "Container Gardening In Franklin" at Franklin County Cooperative Extension Annex, 103 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg.
To register for classes: go.ncsu.edu/fall-2026-extension-gardener-classes
All classes are free and open to the public. Classes will be taught by Charles Mitchell, Franklin County Extension director/horticulture agent.
For more information, contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office, 919-496-3344 or visit the website, franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.

Pre-plant small grains meeting
N.C. Cooperative Extension-Franklin County Center will host the 2026 Pre-Plant Small Grains Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22 beginning at 6 p.m., at Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office Annex, 103 S. Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg.
Topics will include pre-plant fertilizer, nitrogen management, weed control, disease management and more! Two hours of N, O, D, and X NCDA&CS pesticide recertification credit will be offered. Supper will be provided.
For information or to register, visit franklin.ces.ncsu.edu.
For additional information, call the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office 919-496-3344, Ag Agent Matthew Place, matthew_place@ncsu.edu.