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

VALENTINE DINNER & DANCE:  February 12, 2006  Polka Dance from 2-5. Music by Johnnie Zibert and friends.  Dinner immediately following.  Chicken Dinner catered by Gebhardt’s, dessert and drinks included.   Spend the afternoon visiting with old friends and making new acquaintances.    $20 per couple or $10 per individual.  Reservations required.  We expect this to sell out quickly so be sure to get your reservations in early.   Seating is limited.    Call 347-4220 or send your check to FCCI, P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735.  Tickets will be mailed to you or can be picked up.  

ANNUAL MEETING:  The annual meeting of Franklin Community Council, Inc. was held January 12, 2006.   Many residents and former residents attended.  A delicious chili dinner  prepared by Leroy Younger was served.    Everyone in attendance enjoyed the evening.   

Reports were given by Committee Chairpersons, several resolutions were adopted and discussions were held on a variety of issues relating to the community.    

The annual election of officers was held.  The Board of Directors for 2006 are:  Craig Stokes, Henry Ashbacher, Margaret Kennedy, Norine Laird, Frances OBlak, Ray Hamblin, Ted Wynn, Mary Ann Hamblin and  Marilyn Smardo.   Officers for 2006 are:   Craig Stokes, President;  Henry Ashbacher, Vice President; and Mary Ann Hamblin, Secretary-Treasurer.

The structure of the committees changed by resolution.  New committee appointments for 2006 were as follows: 
Planning and Land Use- Ray Hamblin
Advisory Board: Executive Committee of FCCI: (Pres, VP, Secy/Treas)
Public Relations/Marketing/Media: Craig Stokes until someone is found to fill position.
Heritage: Phyllis Bitner
Finance: Paul Christman
Centennial Committee (temporary committee): Phyllis Bitner

Meetings are very informative and everyone is invited to attend.    Bring your suggestions, ideas, etc. and take part in your community’s activities.   Watch the message board at the park for notices of date and time of meetings.  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. 

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: Jennie (Lampe) Strukel family.  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 and 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.  

COMMUNITY CENTER:   The community center has been the location of many events.  It has been used for a community polka party, the local rural volunteer fire department meeting, Medicare Part D information sessions, baby showers, wedding showers, church events, birthday parties and more.  If you would like to rent the center for any occasion please call Dianna at 347-4220 or 347-8807.

Dianna attended the Bridal Show at Memorial Auditorium to showcase  the community center.  She had a display of photos of the interior of the hall along with information packets.   Several residents helped during the show.   Thanks to all those who helped with this. 

The question has been asked several times regarding placing the community center at the new location.    According to regulations we were unable to place the hall at the old site due to the size of the lot.  

DEBT:   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.   Watch the local newspaper for an announcement of our fund raising project.       All donations of any sort go directly for community projects.  No directors, chairpersons or volunteers are paid in any way. 

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.

We will also be putting together a volunteer list.  Watch the next newsletter for jobs that need to be taken care of and please consider calling and offering to help.    Some jobs are small and will only take an hour a month and some will require more time.   Help make YOUR community a great place to live. 

PAVERS:  The pavers will be a nice addition to the park.  We have approximately 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  A mailbox has been mounted on the message board at the front of the park.   Blank paver forms and endowment forms (with instructions) are in the mailbox for your convenience or can be obtained by called 347-8387 or 249-9333.

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.   

WEBSITE:  Many contacts have been made through the website.  We have had early residents from all over the country contact us and many are sending pictures and stories which will be added as time permits.     Over 10,000 different people have visited the website. 

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

HERITAGE:  The history project is nearing completion.  There is still time to be interviewed for the project. If you would like to be interviewed please call Margaret 347-4358 or Norine 347-4453. 

We received word that we passed the first step in gaining a place on the National Historic Register for the sidewalk.   More paperwork is being completed and will be forwarded for a final decision.   

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.  

CENTENNIAL:  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.  

STORM SIREN:  We have received final approval on the storm siren. Bids are being taken and we anticipate the storm siren to be in place by the end of March, 2006.  The storm siren will be located at the community park.