Franklin Newsletter
September, 2004
Community Picnic: A community
picnic was held at the site of the old community hall on Saturday,
September 18, 2004. Food was provided by the water district and
volunteers from the community. A huge thank you to all those who worked
so hard to organize this event. It took many hours and personal expense
to have this event. It shows the dedication and kindness of those
involved in the community.
Plans for the new community hall were on display. Residents had an
opportunity to view what their new center will look like.
76 residents took advantage of this opportunity to visit with old
friends and make new ones. A local group of boys “America’s Favorite
Mustard” provided music for the event. Over 30 door prizes were given
away. The raffle drawing was held. Tickets had been on sale for several
months. The community raised $491.50 from the sale of raffle tickets.
This money will be used for one of the on-going rebuilding projects in
the community.
1st prize: Giclee' Art Print (Fall's New Foal), Signed Limited Edition,
numbered 1st of 1000, with certificate of authenticity, donated by
Artist Marilyn Cukjati, Franklin, Ks. Won by: Barbara
Morris, Arcadia, Ks. (If you are interested in this print or
other works by this artist please contact Marilyn at 347-4311 or by
e-mail at: cukjatifarm@ckt.net)
2nd prize: $50 Bond donated by Jerry & Tammy Wayman, Franklin,
Ks. Won by: Veda Vilet Maxwell, Franklin, Ks.
3rd prize: Handmade afghan donated by Rosa Rhodes, Robertsdale,
Alabama Won by: Gretchen Frevele, Pittsburg, Ks
4th prize: Flag Set donated by Scotty's Classic Cars, Arma, Kansas Won
by: Rudy Widmar, Franklin, Ks.
Community Park: With the
resignation of Don Kranker from the Park Committee Phyllis Bitner has
been appointed chairperson to this committee. Bids are being
taken on several ideas for the park. If anyone has any
ideas or suggestions please let us know.
Welcome Sign at Highway 69 and
47: Property should be deeded to the community shortly
and the sign is ready to be placed at this location.
Contributions/Volunteers:
Now is the time to step forward. If you have been thinking of
donating something (money, time, talent, skills, historical
items) - don’t wait - let us know now. We want everyone to
be a part of this rebuilding effort and want everyone’s ideas and
input. Don’t wait until a project is near completion to say you
would have helped with something. Do you have a skill or
talent-carpentry, masonry, yard work, secretarial or any others?
Do you have access to or know someone who could help out with projects
such as heavy equipment operators to work in the park,
landscaping, park equipment, building a shelter, etc. All of
these things require pre-planning and we want to hear from you
now. We want your ideas and suggestions. This is
“your” community. Let us know what you are thinking or how you can
help. Do you have photos or other items that you
would like to see preserved forever in the history of Franklin?
Items from the old schools, businesses, etc. Let us know what you
are thinking of donating so we can make plans for a proper place to
display those items. Items donated become the property of the
community and will remain there indefinitely. You will
receive a statement for your donation and your family name can be
displayed with the donated item or items.
Website/History: Over
6,500 people have visited the website. Major changes are being
made. Many new photos have been added included photos from
the community picnic. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for
the website please contact Phyllis at 347-8387 or 249-9333.
Council: If you have
anything to ask or ideas, time or talent to share contact one of the
Board members. They are as follows:
Craig Stokes, 620-347-8519, rcstokes@ckt.net
Henry Ashbacher, 620-347-4070, h_ashbacher@hotmail.com
Margaret Kennedy, 620-347-4358
Veda Maxwell, 620-347-4747, ghost_dancer@ckt.net
Joe Cukjati, 620-347-4311, Cukjatifarm@ckt.net
Norine Laird, 620-347-4453, laird@ckt.net
Frances O'Blak, , 620-347-4312
Tammy Wayman, 620-347-4829, tammywayman@ckt.net
If you ever have questions about the actions of the council, the money
that has been received and spent - send a letter in writing to one of
the board members at P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735 and you will
receive a response. You can rest assured that all the money
donated is safely in the bank and every expenditure is studied
carefully so we can get the most value for our
dollars. Many, many hours of volunteer work have been
spent in obtaining donations and grants so the community can prosper
and be rebuilt.
While it seems things are moving slowly you can rest assured that it is
paperwork that is bogging the system and soon all of that will be
behind us and you will soon see progress.