She couldn't imagine living anywhere else

Relishing her roots: Lifelong Franklin resident has worked tirelessly in service of her community Betty Allen was born in Franklin, went to Franklin High School and met her husband at the Franklin Neighborhood House at the Junior Canteen. “That was the place for the young people of the area to congregate on weekends for dancing to the jukebox, bowling, pool and ping-pong tournaments,” she said, “Many of the high school-age came from the surrounding towns of Hamburg, Sussex, Ogdensburg, and of course, Franklin, to have fun. The Franklin Neighborhood House was subsidized by the N.J. Zinc Company, and had its live-in Recreation Director, Roy Lent.” After dating for several years after high school, she married Bob Allen. The Allens had four children: Diane Rose (now married to husband, Howard), Patti Clark (married to husband Tom), Bob Allen (now married to wife, Marianne), and their youngest, Jacqueline (now married to husband, Joe). Betty Allen’s career was a stay-at- home Mom, and she didn’t get a part-time job until her youngest went to first grade, making sure this allowed her to be home when the children returned from school. Allen worked for the A&P Tea Company for over 20 years, then went on to take a course in real estate. After getting her N.J. license, she went with Schlott Realtors, which later became Coldwell Banker. Her association with the company lasted for 20 plus years. “I always enjoyed community service,” Allen said, “So I ran and won a seat on the Franklin Borough Council in 1996, for a three-year term.” She’s been on the Franklin Economic Development Committee for the past 10 years. “My goal is to see a positive change in the face of Main Street. As chair of a newly formed Main Street committee, I am hoping that with the cooperation of our mayor and council, our committee of volunteers will be able to achieve our goal, but it will take the cooperation of all together. I think that the development of the former N.J. Zinc property will be the catalyst that will effect the change, and the current owner, Mr. Anthony Patire, is willing and able to get started on the project. He just needs the cooperation and approval of the governing body and the local planning board.” Allen is also involved with the Franklin Historical Society. Her involvement started at its formation in 1996 as a founding trustee, and when she was on the council, she negotiated an agreement for the use of the former N. J. Zinc time and personnel office as the Franklin Heritage Museum, at $1 a year. “Mr. Patire has been loyal to our agreement since that time, which is the reason that I think that whatever he pledges to do to improve that property, he will do. I have found his word to be his bond. After all, how many persons in our town would give the use of a building to our organization, and continue to pick up the tab for the tax burden for that length of time?” Allen has lived in her Franklin home since she and her husband built it in 1955. “I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I have great neighbors, and it is peaceful and quiet, and going outside to garden is like being in an island paradise. I very seldom go out of the county, unless it is for a special event. I try to shop locally to encourage other businesses to come to town, and hopefully that will happen on Main Street, now that the new senior housing complex is finally being occupied. This is another issue on which my husband and I have worked to bring to fruition since 1998. We really need a nice tea room or small restaurant on Main street for these seniors to go to.” Allen was saddened to know that people in Franklin and surrounding communities have been impacted by the economic downturn. “Since I have a background in real estate, I always look at the legal notices, and am familiar with many areas that have homes in foreclosure. I feel that the federal government was too lax in their standards, and allowed many prospective homeowners to buy when they had no collateral. The mortgage payment generally does not change, but as I had pointed out to our governing body, if the taxes increase each year, that does have an effect on a family’s pocketbook. The budget decisions that our governing body makes affects us all.” In her personal life, Allen loves to garden and has studied watercolor… something she’d like to do again in the future. She also hopes to further document the history of her community, with its rich and interesting past during the days of the operation of the zinc mine by N.J. Zinc Co. Allen has seven grandchildren, and all of her children and grandkids reside in the county. “We are so fortunate to have them close by, and they are always here when I need them,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better family. I am very proud of them because they have all been involved in some form of community service and are a great example to their children.” Betty Allen has selected a recipe which is a special one that she makes during the holidays, which makes a turkey dinner at Thanksgiving or Christmas a little more festive. It is easy and can be made ahead of time. For other delicious ethnic recipes, the Franklin Heritage Museum is offering a cookbook, priced at $8, which can be obtained by contacting a Franklin Historical Society member. Cranberry-Orange Relish 1 pound fresh cranberries 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup of water 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup slivered almonds In saucepan, combine all ingredients, except almonds. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until cranberry skins pop, stirring once or twice. Remove from heat; stir in almonds. Cool, store in covered container in refrigerator until ready to serve. Makes about 4 cups.