FCCI DIRECTORS: Robert Craig Stokes, 620-347-8519 Henry Ashbacher, 620-347-4070 Margaret Kennedy, 620-347-4358 Norine Laird, 620-347-4453 Frances OBlak, 620-347-4312 Ray Hamblin, 620-347-4228 Ted Wynn, 620-347-4040 Mary Ann Hamblin,  620-347-8411 Marilyn Smardo, 620-347-4118 WATER BOARD DIRECTORS: Craig Stokes, 620-347-8519 Jim Rhuems, 620-347-3498 Kathy McDaniels, 620-347-4748 Ray Hamblin,  620-347-4228 Jerry Wayman,  620-347-4829

Franklin Community Newsletter April,  2006 *********** Upcoming Events FCCI Board Meeting -May 7 (2 pm) Water Board Meeting - May 7 (4 pm) Yoga Classes - Every Monday (4:30 pm) Lifelong Friends - May  18 (1 pm) Community Picnic - May 28 (noon) Polka Dance & Dinner-June 11 (2 pm) Centennial - June 23-24, “2007”

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We would like to extend our sympathies to the families of the following people who were residents of Franklin at some point in their lives and passed away this past month.   We value the importance of all our residents (past and present).   In memory of:  Dorothy M. (Best) Sartin and Pete Markus. 

Funeral Dinners:  Please remember that the community center is available for funeral dinners at no charge to the family.  Contact Marion Kobak (347-8444) or call the center (347-4220) to make arrangements. 

Planning and Land Use: (Ray Hamblin 620-347-4228)  

Grants:    We  received a grant in the form  of a $25 gift certificate from Academy Sports in Joplin.   The funds were used to purchase a set of bocce balls. 

Park:   It is a pleasure to notice all the people enjoying the park (Children playing on the equipment, families having picnics at the shelter and walkers using the new walkway).     Please help to keep “your” park clean.    Trash containers will soon be available to dispose of trash properly.  PLEASE NOTE:  The path that was laid is a “Walking Path”.  Motorized vehicles of any type are not allowed.  Signs will soon be posted and trespassers will be prosecuted.   If you see anyone on the path on a motorized vehicle of any sort (4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, etc.) please call 347-4228 or 249-1326 to report this.   We want the park to be a place of enjoyment for generations to come.  Please help us by following these rules.    Please come to the dedication service at the annual picnic. 

 Pavers:   The first order has been placed in the park.   Please take the time to see the names of early and present residents.   We may try to get another order sent in to have them laid in time for the picnic.  If you haven’t already ordered your paver please do so as quickly as possible.  This is 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    Blank paver forms and endowment forms (with instructions) are located in the mailbox on the message board at the site of the old post office for your convenience or can be obtained by called 347-8387 or 249-9333 or at the website (www.franklinkansas.com).

Storm Siren:   Testing will be every other Wednesday  at  noon.  The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department will be  in charge of setting off the siren

Volunteers:  We are always in need of volunteers.   There are many jobs done by many volunteers that make Franklin a great place to live.    Help support YOUR community.  Call any board member to volunteer or leave your name & number at 620-347-4220.   If you see someone working at one of the FCCI properties (Park, Community Center, Welcome Sign) please stop and offer an hour of your time.

Public Relations/Marketing/Media: (Craig Stokes 620-347-8519 or 620-249-1326) 

Community Center Events:  The center continues to be used for a variety of activities and events.   The polka party on April 9, 2006 was a success and enjoyed by all.   The next Polka Dance will be June 11. This event will be a dinner and a dance.  The dance will be held from 2-5 pm with dinner immediately following.   Advance tickets will be sold.  The last dinner and dance was sold out with no tickets available at the door.  Dinner will be Rigatoni and Sausage from Pallucca’s with a vegetable, salad and drinks.  Tickets are $10 per person for the dinner and dance.   Call 620-347-4220 and leave your name and phone # and someone will contact you.  Or you may send your check with the # of tickets needed and we will send the tickets to you.  Send your check made out to “FCCI” to FCCI, P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735.   At present the polka parties are held the second Sunday of every other month. We are working on other types of dances as well as making the polka parties a monthly event.  Keep watching the newsletter for further information. 

Lifelong Friends:  Margaret Kennedy  (347-4358) is the hostess for our Lifelong Friends program.   The second event held April 20 was a success.   The hall was decorated in a spring theme.   Refreshments, cookies and muffins were served.    The day was spent visiting, discussing future events and enjoying a program “Nursing Homes - Issues and Answers“.  The program was presented by Brenda Stokes who has 17 years of nursing home business management experience.   Lifelong Friends will continue to meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1-4.  Watch the newsletter and newspaper for future announcements.   Admission is free.   Refreshments are available.

Youth Programs:  We are currently working on setting up some programs for the youth of the community.  Some of these will be located at the park and some at the community center. 
Friends of Franklin:  Many former residents and other area residents have shown a great interest in our community.   We welcome them as our “friends” and are open to any ideas or suggestions from them.  We welcome them to all of our activities.  We feel  that our community extends far beyond it’s physical boundaries.   Many are receiving our monthly newsletter and if you know of anyone who would like to stay informed of our progress and our activities please let us know and we will add them to our mailing list (either by postal mail or e-mail). 

Heritage: (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)

Picnic May 28:  In conjunction with National Historic Preservation Month the Heritage Committee is planning the annual Franklin Community Picnic and Dedication which will be located at the park.  Many events are being planned and it promises to be a very special event with awards, recognitions, dedications, games, music and more.  Please plan to attend.   Rural Water District # 7 will help with providing food for the event. 

We are still looking for oral histories.  If you would prefer to have a questionnaire sent to you please call.  You can fill it out at your leisure and return it by mail.   These stories will preserve the history of Franklin for future generations.   We are also looking for artifacts for the hall display case.  Some examples are ink pens, envelopes addressed to Franklin, School diplomas, trophies, books,  church documents (baptism, vacation bible school certificates, etc.). If you have any items you would like to donate please call. 

Veterans Display:  We continue to work on the display of photos of veterans who have lived in Franklin.  If you have a photo of you or a loved one who was a veteran and lived in Franklin we would like to copy it for display in the new community center.    Please contact Phyllis at 347-8387.  We are also looking for family photos and photos of businesses from Franklin to use in our display throughout the hall.
 
Finance: (Paul Christman)

Debt Reduction:    We have received several donations toward the tree fund raising campaign but still must continue to work to reduce that debt.   We hope that all residents will help with that fund as well as promoting it to their friends and neighbors.  We must all work together to see the projects through which are a benefit to the entire region.    Please help us with paying off the debt from the community center construction in any way you can.  Donations can be sent directly to: FCCI, P.O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735.   All donations are tax deductible.   If you are unable to volunteer perhaps you would consider sending a small donation monthly which would help with paying off the debt.   If everyone would send even a small amount each month it would be helpful and we could get the debt paid off.     Please remember that all the work done is for the good of the community, it’s residents and friends. 

Contributions:  We hope all residents will be proud of the new facilities in Franklin and will be willing to donate to their community.  Donations can be in any amount.  We have received donations of a few coins and up to $1,000.  This month’s  contributors were:  Jack & Doris Overman, Pittsburg, Ks., Joyce Draper, Pittsburg, Ks., Marilyn Peterson, Pittsburg, Ks., P.E.O. Chapter AQ, Pittsburg, Ks., Charles Blatchley, Pittsburg,Ks., Joan Miller, Pittsburg, Ks. , Joe & Susan Polhlopek, Franklin, Ks. , Elizabeth Strukel, Girard, Ks., Paul & Doris Morlock, Franklin, Ks. C. Ray & Carol McDaniel, Joplin, Mo. and various miscellaneous donations. We are truly grateful for each and every donation and are blessed to have such wonderful residents and “friends”.

Endowment Fund:  Much interest has been shown in the endowment fund.  This will ensure that Franklin has the proper funding to continue it’s activities, etc. for years to come.    The money is placed in a secure account with Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.   Families of several deceased Franklin residents have left donations in their memory to the endowment fund as well as individuals who currently have an interest in seeing to the future of the community have given donations to the fund.    Remember that anyone can make a donation to the endowment fund.  With an initial donation of $100 a fund is set up in your name or your family’s name.  When the fund reaches $500 the name is placed on a plaque in the community center.   The fund can be added to at any time and is an especially nice way to remember a family on special occasions such as date of birth, wedding anniversary, date of death, etc.   This month’s contributors to the endowment fund are:  Joe & Susan Polhlopek, Franklin, Ks.
  
Centennial Committee:  (Phyllis Bitner, 620-347-8387)     Mark your calendars for June 23-24, 2007.   Remember to contact us if your family plans to schedule their family reunion at that time.  Continue to watch the newsletter and website for more information on all the activities and events that will take place.   Plans should be made early as hotel rooms are limited.  If you have relatives from out of town planning to attend you may want to call this to their attention.  Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau will be working with us on this event. 
    Forms will be available soon for food vendors, arts & crafts, antiques, etc.  Marion Kobak (347-8444) or Gay Kranker  (347-4305) are in charge of vendor registration.  You can contact either of them for more information and to obtain a form or you can visit the website.  Those forms should be available within the next month.
     One of the projects for the centennial is a cookbook.   Please send us your favorite family recipe. Perhaps you have an heirloom recipe from your ancestors that you would like to include in this book.  We have already received recipes from Governor Sebelius and Senator Barone.  Call Dianna (620-347-8807) for further information on the recipe book project.  Forms can be found on the website (www.franklinkansas.com) or call Dianna and she will see that you receive one.

Community Center:  (Dianna Morrison 620-347-8807 or 620-249-2059)  Call for rental information.   Dianna is doing a great job of  managing the hall.  It is rented frequently and people enjoy working with her.

Website:  (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)   You can visit the website for all the current information, photos of the community (past and present), community center rental information, keep up with the latest events and programs and much more. www.franklinkansas.com

Sewer: (Craig Stokes 620-347-8519)  Easement signing for the sewer project continues.  If you missed any of the signature sessions please contact Craig to set up a time to sign your easement.  This will help speed up the process.
  
Water District: (Craig Stokes 620-347-8519)  RWD #7 has received a very prestigious award.  The Kansas Rural Water Association (KRWA) has awarded its 2005 Most Improved Water System Award to Crawford County Rural Water District (RWD) 7. The presentation was made at the Association’s awards ceremony on Wednesday, March 29 during KRWA’s 39th Annual Conference and Exhibition held at the Century II Conference Center in Wichita.
The administration and board of directors of the Kansas Rural Water Association recognize that it takes people like the residents of Franklin, and the Crawford RWD 7 Administration and Board of Directors, who are willing to work with people and provide the leadership necessary to capitalize on opportunities for growth that will help sustain our rural Kansas communities.
The Water District Annual Election meeting was held in April.  The newly elected board members are Ray Hamblin and Doris Morlock.   Water district members are encouraged to attend meetings.   New customers are coming on line monthly with many more anticipated in the future.

Council:  Meetings are very informative and everyone is invited to attend.    Bring your suggestions, ideas, etc. and take part in your community’s activities.   Meetings are held at the community center.   Everyone is welcome.  If you have any questions at any time please contact one of the members of the Board or a Committee Chairperson

Newsletter:  If you have any corrections or ideas for the newsletter please call 347-8387.

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