Franklin Newsletter
September, 2005
October 9 , 2005 2 pm.
Franklin Community Council, Inc. Board Meeting, at Dianna & Bill
Morrison‘s garage, 301 S. Vine (behind old Catholic Church). All
welcome to attend. Anyone who would like to help in any of the
projects are invited. There are still many projects to
complete and all are welcome to become a part of the rebuilding and
future of Franklin. Please try to spare a little time each
month to help. If you are unable to attend the meetings contact a
board member to let us know how you would like to help.
For those of you have heard about the book titled
“Southeastern Kansas Coal Mining Towns” that was sold at the Arma
homecoming we have those available for purchase. They are
$20. There was a nice article in the Morning Sun about the
book. It is a photo book with lots of great old photos including
Franklin. We are planning to put a book together for the
Centennial (2007) about Franklin but if you are interested in
buying this book call 347-8387.
The Spirit of Franklin truly remains.
This community was built and sustained by a caring group of early
settlers. That same spirit is alive and well today.
You can see evidence of this every day as residents work to rebuild the
community, volunteers working on many projects, ladies bringing
food to the volunteers, residents cleaning areas and planting to
beautify the community. Join us for an old fashioned “roof
raising”. Read details in Park Report that follows.
DISASTER
RELIEF: Franklin residents helping with the
hurricane relief efforts. The Kansas Nebraska Convention of
Southern Baptist (KNCSB), is made up of many associations of churches.
New Life Baptist of Franklin and Trinity Baptist of Pittsburg, are
members of Tri-County Baptist Association along with 15 other
churches. They have teamed up to take a team to help with cleanup
in Biloxi, Mississippi. The feeding unit and volunteers who helped here
after the May 4 tornado are already there, working with the Salvation
Army Team, feeding thousands of people each day. Our team, known as the
S.E. Ks, Chain Saw Gang, is scheduled to leave for the same area Sept.
24, 4 A.M. Ernie Herron and Ted Wynn (New Life Baptist) are
members of that team. Other members of both churches are serving on
other teams. Our Association of churches is helping provide funding and
materials and equipment for the trip. Any donations from friends and
neighbors are appreciated. 347-4040
STORM
SIREN: Final stages of paperwork is being compiled so
storm siren can be ordered. The storm siren is entirely funded
by donations from Paul Newman, Frank & Frances Ales, Arma,
Ks, Ray & Sandy Hamblin, Franklin, Ks., Royal Neighbors of America,
Rock Island, Il. and Dorothy Smardo, Franklin, Ks.
COMMUNITY
HALL: (Ted Wynn, Chairman, 347-4040) Hall
committee is completing paperwork for the hall rental
process. The hall is moving ahead of schedule.
The hall committee will soon be taking reservations.
Watch the newsletter and the newspaper for details and contact
numbers.
COMMUNITY HALL
BUILDING COMMITTEE: (Joe Cukjati, Chairman, 347-4311)
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE: (Dianna Morrision, Chairman, 347-8807)
The advisory committee is in the final stages of planning the open
house for the new hall.
Thanks to Robert Luth a new Franklin resident who
jump started our endowment fund. His donation will ensure that projects
in Franklin will continue. It allows individuals and families to
leave a lasting tribute to the community. Henry Ashbacher then
also donated $150 to the endowment fund and challenged everyone to
match his contribution. Every dollar counts and will be in
a managed fund to see that the future of Franklin is secure. Even
a smaller donation of $10.00 (or whatever amount you choose) will
help. The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is managing
the fund and the interest will be used to maintain the properties owned
by FCCI (Hall, Park, Welcome Sign). Keep the spirit of Franklin alive
for years to come.
CENTENNIAL:
(Phyllis Bitner, 249-9333) The centennial is scheduled for the
weekend of June 23-24, 2007. Make plans now to plan your family
reunion at the same time. Any local residents are welcome to
submit a design for a logo for the centennial.
We will need people to help with making plans and organizing.
Ideas are welcome and we would love to see new people on the
committee.
PLANNING AND LAND
USE COMMITTEE (Ray Hamblin, Chairman, 347-4228) A
meeting was held to discuss plans for this committee. Jerry Wayman and
Henry Ashbacher are working on this committee with Ray. Ray would
like to thank all the workers who have helped with the many projects at
the FCCI properties. It is greatly appreciated.
WELCOME
SIGN: Many compliments have been received on the new
welcome sign. It’s a beautiful addition to the
community. We hope to have the sign lit in the near
future. Thanks to Poli-Tron, Pittsburg,Ks. who
donated the materials to make the lettering for the Welcome Sign at 69
and 47.
PARK:
(Ray Hamblin, Chairman, 347-4228) The park was officially lit at
9 pm on August 26,2005. It is a beautiful site to see the
flag high atop one of the light poles. Keep watching the area as
we make progress on this nice addition to Franklin. Franklin
residents can be proud and grateful to have such a nice facility in the
area. This park is being built at no cost to
residents. The entire park is funded by donations. The Pritchett
Foundation from Pittsburg has been the leading donor.
Notice the new message board at the front of the
park. This will be used for announcements of upcoming events and work
days. Please watch the sign to find out about the latest
event.
Please join us for an old fashioned “roof
raising” for the shelter, Sunday, October 2 at 8 am.
Lunch will be served. Come and be a part of the rebuilding of the
community.
Don’t forget to order your pavers for the
park. This will be an on-going project. They are a nice way
to leave a permanent marker for your family, school class, business,
organization, memorial or whatever you choose. Due to
delays in the laying of the walking path we are still able to take
orders to be included with the first shipment. The first
shipment will be laid as soon as the walking path is in place.
Steve and Susan Cole and their son will be
planting the garden area at the front of the park. This is an
Eagle Scout project. We want to thank them for their volunteering
to do this project. Bricks from the school, church,
Vignatelli’s and Dr. Kellers will be incorporated into the
design.
Park benches will be placed along the walking
path. For a donation of $100 a plaque with your family name
will be placed on the back of the bench. Several benches
have already been spoken for.
A BBQ pit has been built by John Nepote, Melvin
Patrick, Harlan Crane and Ray Hamblin. Bricks were donated
by Kelly Whetzell. The tile for the tabletops were donated by
Roland Dalrymple of Quality Floor Covering, Frontenac.
Thanks to Margaret Kennedy, Norine Laird and Craig Stokes for bringing
food to the volunteers. This is a beautiful fireplace pit that
everyone should be very proud of. The park is going to be a
wonderful place for many family and community activities.
Construction has begun on the bocce
court. Dr. Talaat Yaghmour, Pittsburg has donated funds to
construct the bocce court. Two new pieces of
playground equipment were also recently installed at the park.
These items were donated by Jensen Swing Product Inc., Santee,
Ca.
Two historic items were recovered from the
Park. Ray Hamblin unearthed a mule shoe and a Chrysler car
accessory. The items are being cleaned and will be placed
with the other historical artifacts at the Community Center.
HERITAGE
COMMITTEE: (Phyllis Bitner, Chairman,
347-8387) We have been contacted by the state
regarding the sidewalk. There is a lot of interest on their
part and they are working with us to obtain the historical listing
before the centennial in 2007. We are still looking
for more information on the sidewalk. We also welcome anyone who
has an interest in the history of the community to join this
committee. Many exciting projects coming up so please
join the group if you have an interest.
WATER BOARD:
The infrastructure improvements are nearing completion. The water
district will be experiencing a rate increase in the near future.
Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 11 (Bone Creek) increased
their rates for all purchasers. The water district will explore all
options available to control cost of the increase. The next meeting
will be Oct. 9th, 2005. Call 347- 4747 or watch message
board at the park for meeting location and time.
NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY: If you have internet access please visit the
website and click on “needs”. Perhaps there are items listed there that
you would consider donating to the community.
DIRECTORS:
Robert Craig Stokes, 620-347-8519; Henry
Ashbacher, 620-347-4070; Veda Maxwell, 620-347-4747; Tammy Wayman,
620-347-4829; Margaret Kennedy, 620-347-4358; Joe Cukjati,
620-347-4311; Norine Laird, 620-347-4453; Frances O'Blak, 620-347-4312;
Ray Hamblin, 620-347-4228