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 Doris Morlock, 620-347-4958 Ray Hamblin,  620-347-4228 Jerry Wayman,  620-347-4829

Franklin Community Newsletter July,  2006 *********** Upcoming Events Water Board Meeting - Aug 10-7 pm Lifelong Friends - Aug.  17 -1 pm Polka Dance - August 13-2 pm Sewer Meeting - August 21-7 pm Edy’s Ice Cream Party-Aug. 26 - 7 pm 50s-60s-70s Dance - Sept. 9 - 8pm FCCI Board Meeting -Sept.10-2 pm Centennial - June 23-24, “2007”

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:   Cynthia F. Morrison and Mary (Biederman) Sullivan, 

Funeral Dinners:  Please remember that the community center is available for funeral dinners at no charge to the family.  Call the center (347-4220) to make arrangements for using the facility. 

Contributors: Memorials to Mary (Biederman) Sullivan,  Tony & Ruth Zemlock and Leroy &Ann Younger.  We are truly grateful for each and every donation and are blessed to have such wonderful residents and “friends”.
 
Planning and Land Use: (Ray Hamblin 620-347-4228)   WORK DAY:   Until further notice Friday will be work day in Franklin.  Anyone who has time to volunteer (whether it’s an hour or a day) please come to the park at 8 am on Fridays.   We’ll do whatever jobs need to be done.  It may be cutting grass, pulling weeds, watering, carpentry or any number of jobs that need to be done.   Please come and help us keep YOUR park, community center and grounds in tip top shape. 

Park:   The shelter is available at no charge however if you are planning an event please call Ray at 620-404-9290 to reserve the shelter for an event.   Please remember that the park is owned by FCCI and rules and policies are in place that must be followed.  They are posted at the bathroom entryway.  If you call for a reservation a packet will be sent to you. 

 Pavers:   A second order for pavers has been placed.   If you haven’t already ordered your paver please do so as 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

Public Relations/Marketing/Media: (Craig Stokes 620-347-8519 or 620-249-1326) 
Edy’s Neighborhood Salute:  Block Party - Ice Cream Social   August 26, 7 pm.   Franklin has been selected as one of the grand prize winners in the national Edy’s Ice Cream Neighborhood Salute. 

Polka Dance:  August 13. This event is being held the weekend of Arma Homecoming.  The dance will be held from 2-5 pm.   Advance tickets are being sold as we anticipate this to be a sold out event.  With many out of town visitors coming to the area for the homecoming we recommend making reservations as soon as possible.    Tickets are $5 per person for the dance.   Call 620-347-4220 and leave your name and phone # and someone will contact you or call 620-249-9333.  You may also send your check with the # of tickets needed and tickets can be picked up at the door.  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.

50s-60s-70s Dance - September 9 :  8 pm- midnight.       Music & lighting by Top Hat Entertainment, Kelly Seeman, DJ & Karaoke; Beverages & snacks available;  $5 per person;  Reservations required   (seating is limited so make your reservations early); Call620-249-1326, 620-249-9333 or visit the website (www.franklinkansas.com)  Mail reservations to:    FCCI,  P. O. Box 43,  Franklin, Ks. 66735

Bargain Bazaar - Saturday, June 24  The bargain bazaar was a HUGE Success.  Be saving your items for next years annual fund raising event.  Let’s all work together to make our 2nd event another success.  Thanks to Marion Kobak and Gay Kranker for all their dedication in working months in advance in preparation for this sale.  Also thanks to all those (too numerous to mention) who helped in setting up, working the sale, selling food and cleanup.    Items that were left were donated to a needy family who had lost everything in a house fire. 

 Lifelong Friends:  Norine Laird  (347-4453 ) was this month’s hostess for our Lifelong Friends program.  The events continue to be a success.  July’s program (July 20) was presented by Linda Meyer, Program Supervisor for S.E.K. Area Agency on Aging.  The program was about services provided by the agency for seniors who are eligible including the new “Yellow Dot“ program.     Lifelong Friends will continue  to meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1-4.  Next meeting is August  17.   Admission is free.   Refreshments are available.

Heritage: (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)
Veterans Display:    We are still looking for more veterans photos.  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 or 249-9333.  We are also looking for family photos (past and current residents) and photos of businesses from Franklin to use in our display throughout the hall.  

Contributors:  The following items have been added to our historic display this month.  Thanks to the generosity of these people who want to insure that the history of Franklin is documented and remains in the community for future generations to enjoy.    Don & Jeannette Cukjati in memory of Joe and Virginia Cukjati donated a check writer from the company store. Many miners checks were written with this.  Tony & Ruth Zemlock  donated many artifacts, medals, newspaper and magazine articles.  This is a beautiful display relating to World War II and the time Tony served as a POW.   Ruth also donated check stubs from the time she worked at the Western Coal and Mining Company Store.   Wally Rons (in memory of his mother Annie Polsak Rons) donated a 1926 Franklin High School Graduation Program and a 1922 Franklin Grade School Diploma.   Many thanks to all who donated!!!

Finance: (Paul Christman)
Debt Reduction
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  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. 

Endowment Fund:  This will ensure that Franklin has the proper funding to continue it’s activities, etc. for years to come.    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.  

Centennial Committee:  (Phyllis Bitner, 620-347-8387)    
Mark your calendars for June 23-24, 2007.  

Food vendors, arts & crafts, antiques, etc. Contact Marion Kobak (347-8444) or Gay Kranker  (347-4305) 

Centennial Cookbook.   Please send us your favorite family recipe. Call Dianna (620-347-8807.

Forms can be found on the website (www.franklinkansas.com) for more information.

If you would like to help or have any ideas, suggestions, constructive criticisms, etc. contact Phyllis 249-9333.  This centennial is for all residents (current and past) and we want everyone who is interested to be a part of it.

Community Center:  (Dianna Morrison 620-347-8807 or 620-249-2059)  Call for rental information.   The hall has been used for a variety of events and everyone has enjoyed using the facility.  

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)  Michael Kramer will be at the Franklin Community Center on August 21, 2006 at 7 pm to answer any questions regarding the sewer project.    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.   
Crawford County RWD #7:   (Craig Stokes 620-347-8519    For any water related problems please call Henry Ashbacher at 620-347-4070 or 620-249-2900. For any bookkeeping or billing problems please call Veda Maxwell at 620-347-4747.

Franklin Community 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 or 620-249-9333

Volunteers:  We are in need of volunteers.  While we have several willing volunteers the majority of the work tends to fall on the shoulders of the same people.   We are asking that everyone take a moment to consider what they can do to help make Franklin a great place to call home.   Please circle areas you are willing to help with and return the form along with your water bill or mail it to FCCI, P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735. 

Stuff Envelopes Occasional office work Typing Fund Raising Help with Centennial Organize Youth Programs Clean Community Center Set up/take down tables (as needed) Park maintenance and upkeep

Water Plants & Shrubs Work in Garden Area (pull weeds, etc. Cut grass and/or trim weeds Help with dances (set up, clean up, help in kitchen, take tickets at door, sell tickets, etc.) Electrical Plumbing Cooking

I am unable to volunteer but am willing to pledge $____ each month to help.  ($5, $10, $20, etc.) I would like to make a one time donation of  $_____ to help with maintenance and upkeep of our facilities. Name:  ___________________________ Phone #: __________________________ Email: ____________________________

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