Franklin Community Council, Inc.
Newsletter
February, 2006
www.franklinkansas.com
Next Meeting:    March 5, 2006 -  2 pm		 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

Planning and Land Use: (Ray Hamblin 620-347-4228)  
Grants:  We received a grant from Crawford County $586.99  which will help with maintenance and utilities at park.  We are very appreciative of this help from the county and would like to thank our County Commissioners for seeing the need for this facility which is centrally located for many area communities.   The park has been used frequently even before it’s completion.   
Park:  The park continues to be used on a regular basis.  Another project we will be working on is a replica school house.  This will be used to house several artifacts that are being donated to the community.   It will be located at the site of the original grade school building and will be a miniature replica.   We are working on funding for that project through grants.   If anyone has photos of the early school or memories of the interior design  please contact one of the board members.
Pavers:   The pavers will be a nice addition to the park.  We have over 70 ordered now and have been receiving more calls as word has gotten out about our project.   Don’t forget to order yours.  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) will soon be 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.
Message Board:  As you may have noticed the message board is no longer at the community park.   Please watch in the future for the sign to be at the site of the old post office.   There will also be forms for the park pavers and endowment fund located at that same site. 
Storm Siren:    The process is moving forward on the storm siren.  All the initial paperwork is completed and the bid was awarded to the low bidder Washington Electronics, Inc. of  Pittsburg, Ks.   The estimated completion date is April 6.
Volunteer List:  Please review the list at the end of this newsletter and consider helping in some way.   Some jobs are small and will only take an hour a month and some will require more time.  This is just a small list of items that need to be taken care of.  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.
 
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 Valentine Dinner and Dance was a sell out.  Future plans are to host a polka party on the 2nd Sunday of every other month starting April 9, 2006.  The dance will be held from 2-5 pm.   Please call to reserve your seats.  Seating is limited so everyone can enjoy the day and have room to move around.  Call 620-347-4220 and leave your name, phone # and the number of seats requested.  Admission is $5 per person.   You will pay at the door.  The Valentine event sold out quickly so be sure to get your name on the list. Let everyone know about the event as we don’t plan to advertise since we‘ve had so many requests from people wanting to attend future dances.  We have also received requests from people wanting dances on other days or evenings as well as a different variety of music (50s-60s, country-western, etc.).    Does anyone have an interest in this?  Would you be interested in planning or helping out with these events?
Lifelong Friends:  We will begin hosting “Lifelong Friends” on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  First event will be March 16.   The center will be open from noon to 4 pm.   Come and rekindle old friendships or make new friendships that will last a lifetime. Spend an hour or the entire afternoon playing cards, dominoes, games, or just visiting. Admission is free. Coffee & tea will be available.
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. 

Heritage: (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)
The history project for which we received funding from the State Historical Society is nearing completion however we plan to continue on with the oral history project.  We would like to have more interviews from residents and previous residents.  If you would like to be interviewed please call Margaret 347-4358 or Norine 347-4453. 
Still waiting on word regarding placement of the sidewalk on the National Historic Register.  
We will be making a display of photos of veterans who have lived in Franklin.  If you have a photo of you or a loved one 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 to use in our display throughout the hall.  

Finance: (Paul Christman)
Debt Reduction:  As many of you have read in the newspaper or saw on the TV a fund raising campaign has begun to pay off the debt on the new community center.  While FEMA and USDA Rural Development were instrumental in our ability to obtain such a beautiful facility we must pay our share for the building.   The remaining debt was just under $70,000.    You also may have seen the beautiful sign in the driveway of the center which was designed and painted by the Northeast High School Art 2 students (Shawn LaSota, Steven Cutshall, Jasmine Beacham, and Curtis Harlan) under the direction of their instructor Gary Lofts.  This is another sign of the true community spirit which shows that “community” is not limited by city boundaries. We appreciate their hard work and creative spirit.  Wendell Wilkinson, Commerce Bank Pittsburg donated $1,000 to kick off the fund raising campaign.   Wendell was present to paint the first leaf.  This tree represents the trees that were left standing after the tornado. They appeared bleak and dead but as spring approaches we see tiny buds followed by green leaves forming. We hope to color our tree “green” through the kindness and generosity of our friends and neighbors. As we reach each $1,000 mark another green leaf will be added to the tree.
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 $1,000 contributors were:  Commerce Bank (Wendell Wilkinson, President), Pittsburg, Ks.; Rick Scholes, Scholes Refrigeration, Heating & A/C, Girard, Ks; Mr. & Mrs. George Fauvergue, Carl Junction, Mo.  Other donations (in various amounts) were:  Josephine (Strukel) Arabia, Frontenac, Ks.; Scotty & Phyllis (Liposek) Bitner, Arma, Ks.;  Nancy Fletcher, Arma, Ks. and various anonymous donors.   We are truly grateful for each and every donation and are blessed to have such wonderful “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.   This month’s donors to the endowment fund include: Marie (Newbery) Shadix family.  Marguerite was born in Franklin July 26,1917.  She passed away December 20,2005.    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.  
Mailing Address:  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

Centennial Committee:  (Phyllis Bitner)   
Mark your calendars for June 23-24, 2007.    The centennial committee met for a planning meeting.   We anticipate the centennial week-end being a very exciting time for Franklin.  Several families have already contacted us about holding their family reunions on that week-end.   Please let us know if you plan to do so also.   Continue to watch the newsletter for more information on all the activities and events that will take place.   Plans should be made early for hotel reservations as there are 385 hotel rooms in Crawford County and we anticipate those will fill up quickly.   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.   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.

Community Center:  (Dianna Morrison 620-347-8807 or 620-249-2059) 
Call for rental information.   We received a grant from Crawford County for $4,800.  We would like to thank the County Commissioners for their generous support of our new facility.  Residents from throughout the county will benefit from this grant as we will be hosting events for seniors, youth and family activities.    

Website:  (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)
11,178 visitors to date. You can visit the website for all the current information, photos of the community (past and present), community center rental information and much more. www.franklinkansas.com

Sewer:  Easement signing for the sewer project continues.  If you missed any of the signature sessions please contact Craig Stokes at 620-347-8519 to set up a time to sign your easement.  This will help speed up the process.   

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. 

VOLUNTEER LIST
Water flowers, trees, shrubs

Mow grass

Pick up trash

Empty trash cans & replace liners

Clean inside center (monthly or bi-monthly)

Maintain bathrooms (restock w/supplies and clean) (Park & Community Center)

Put out holiday decorations

Change message board

 Paperwork:  Address envelopes, write letters, etc.

Community Activities & Fund Raising:  Bake desserts, set up & serve at events, cook,  shopping for events,  cleanup,  planning 

 Manual Labor:  Help on work days for the good of the community or an occasional day of maintenance

Electrician, Plumber, carpenter, etc. (Occasional jobs)
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