Franklin Community Newsletter
November, 2006
Upcoming Events
FCCI Board Meeting –Dec 3
Water Board
Meeting – Dec 3
Community Christmas Party – Dec 10
New Years Eve Dance – December 31
FCCI Annual Board Meeting – January 11 – 7 pm
Centennial - June 23-24, “2007”
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: Frank
&
Frances Ales, the family of Frank and Anna (Cvelbar) Lipasek and many
miscellaneous donations. Thanks to Chuck
Ales and Robert Brunch for donating the beautiful set of flags that are
in the
community center. Those flags will be a
constant reminder of the sacrifices made by the many veterans who
served this
country. We are truly grateful
for
each and every donation and are blessed to have such wonderful
residents and
“friends”.
BROCHURE
RACK: A
brochure rack has been placed in the
entryway of the community center. This
rack contains information on any of our programs, items you may wish to
purchase, centennial information, endowment fund, paver project and
much
more. For any information on any of
our
programs or questions about donating you can contact any board or
committee
member or find a brochure at the center.
Brochures on the paver program and the endowment fund are also
located
on the sign at the location of the old post office.
All
order forms or brochures are also available on the website
(www.franklinkansas.com)
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY: 7th
Annual Franklin Community Christmas Party held at the Franklin Community Center on
December 10th at 2 p.m. All Ages
Welcome! Refreshments! Door Prizes! All
children under 12 years old will receive a gift from Santa! Sponsored by: Crawford County RWD #7, Franklin
Community Council, Inc., and Cukjati
Farms. R.S.V.P. Please
reply by November 27th to Veda Maxwell 347-4747 with the following information:
Children's Name, Age and Boy or Girl.
PLANNING &
LAND USE: (Ray Hamblin 620-347-4228)
Ÿ
Pavers:
The second order of pavers has been placed at the park. If you
haven’t already ordered your paver please do so as this is an on-going
project. Our 3rd order is
underway. They are a nice way to leave a
permanent remembrance for your family, school class, business,
organization,
memorial or whatever you choose
Ÿ
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)
Ÿ
New
Years Eve
Dance: New Years Eve celebrations are
returning to Franklin. A New Years Eve Party will be held December 31, 2006 from 9pm-1 am. A variety of music
will be provided by: Music, Music, Music.
Party Favors and Breakfast will be included
with the admission cost. Beverages &
snacks will be available for purchase (BYOB).
Located at the Franklin Community Center, 7th & Broadway, Franklin, Ks. Cost is $15 per person.
Reservations are required and
must be paid in advance (seating is limited so make your reservations
early). Call Norine Laird at 620-347-4453 or mail your check made payable to FCCI with
# of
reservations to: FCCI, P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735.
Tickets will be mailed to you upon receipt of payment. Tickets can also be purchased from board
members.
Ÿ
Lifelong
Friends: Lifelong
Friends will begin their meetings again in January.
Meetings are held the 3rd
Thursday of each month. Admission
is
free. Refreshments are available.
HERITAGE: (Phyllis Bitner 620-347-8387 or 620-249-9333)
Ÿ
Veterans
Luncheon & Program: The Veterans Day luncheon
and program was a huge success. Over 100
guests attended. After lunch was served
by the ladies of the community the program began with Anton “Tony” Zemlock and Chester “Clark” Fikes posting the colors. Tony and Clark
were both
former POWs of WWII. Major General
Joe
Scepansky, former Franklin resident, returned from Texas to visit with his comrades and schoolmates. He led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance
and gave the invocation. The
2006
Presidential Proclamation was read by Henry Ashbacher, Vice President
of
Franklin Community Council. State
Senator Jim Barone and his wife Donita were in attendance. The Senator
spoke of
his ties to Franklin and read an essay composed by his 11 year
old
grandson that spoke of his thoughts on freedom.
The American Legion Riders/Patriot Guard gave everyone great
pride as
they arrived on their motorcycles with flags flying proudly. Bob
Peternell,
Director, spoke of their organization and its beginning.
Lori Pommier, Northeast Elementary Vocal
Music Teacher and her 4th grade class brought a huge round
of
applause for their performance of military selections.
Approximately 50 students treated the guests
to a patriotic selection of songs. Chuck Ales, Immediate Past Commander
and
Chaplain of American Legion Post 182, Arma, and WWII Veteran spoke of
his
gratitude to all veterans. His own
family produced 7 veterans. Chuck read
the names of five Franklin residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice
and had
been killed in action. As each name was
read a bell was rung by Sandy Hamblin.
Ray Hamblin, Director of Franklin Community Council, Inc. was
master of
ceremonies of the event. Ray also read a
letter sent by Senator Sam Brownback in which he stated he was
impressed with
the Spirit of Franklin and asked God’s blessings on all their endeavors
and
future prosperity. Senator Brownback
also had an American flag flown over the Capitol in honor of the
veterans and
presented the flag to the community for their use.
Veterans were invited to attend the
Centennial Celebration June 23-24, 2007 where a Veterans Area will be set up. All
veterans of
Crawford County will be welcome to set up displays and
gather in this
tent area. Following the program guests spent the afternoon visiting
with old
friends and enjoying photos. The
ladies
of Franklin provided punch and cookies.
Ÿ
Historic Items & Photos: The following items have been added to our
historic
display this month. Dave and Dolores
(Chippeaux) Bierbrodt donated a miner’s hat in memory of Eugene
Chippeaux. Early photos of Franklin were donated by Dave & Dolores
Bierbrodt, Ed McQuire and Joe Scepansky.
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. We
continue our
search for family, business, veteran and other Franklin photos.
Please contact Phyllis at 347-8387 or 249-9333 if you have photos that can be copied and
used for
displays in the community center or if you have items to donate.
Ÿ
Franklin’s Historic
Sidewalk:
As many of you may have already read in the
Morning Sun it is now official. Franklin is home to a State Historic Site. The sidewalk that has many stories linked to
its past has been placed on the Kansas Historic Register and has been
recommended to be placed on the National Historic Register. The State Historic Society has forwarded
their recommendation to Washington, D.C. Watch the
newsletter for updates. Many questions
have arisen about this and basically nothing new will be required of
property
owners adjacent to the sidewalk. The
State of Kansas is the legal owner of the sidewalk. The sidewalk of course can be cleaned
and
maintained but no changes can be made to the structure without
contacting the
state (which has always been the case).
There are no special requirements to buildings located along the
sidewalk. Before this nomination there
were only 10 properties in Crawford County listed on the register so this is quite an
honor.
FINANCE: (Paul Christman)
Ÿ
Please
help us
with paying off the debt from the community center construction in any
way you
can.
Ÿ
Donations
can be
sent directly to: FCCI, P.O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735.
All donations are tax deductible.
Ÿ
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, its
residents
and friends.
Ÿ
Endowment
Fund: This will ensure that Franklin has the proper funding to continue its
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 in
any amount) and is an especially nice
way to remember a family on special occasions such as date of birth,
wedding
anniversary, date of death, etc.
New funds have been established this
month in the names of Frank and Anna (Cvelbar) Lipasek. Funds
have been established in the following
names: Robert Luth, Henry
Ashbacher, Lipovsek Family, Frank
Pristave, Joe Keller, Don Kranker, Eva Palango, Jennie (Lampe) Strukel,
Marie
(Newbery) Shadix, Joe & Susan Polhlopek,
Mary Sullivan, Mary (Ponce) Cukjati.
Anyone can donate any amount at any time in memory of these
names or you
can establish a fund in your own family name.
These funds will ensure that future programs in Franklin will continue.
This money is managed by the Greater Kansas City Area Foundation
of
which we are a sub-fund. The funds are
placed in a secure account with the intention of using the interest for
future
expenses and programs.
CENTENNIAL: (Phyllis
Bitner, 620-347-8387)
Mark your calendars for June
23-24, 2007. This
is going to be
an exciting event. We have heard
from clubs
and organizations throughout the state that plan to attend several
different
events. The celebrity auction is
sure
to be a highlight. Watch the website as
new items are added almost daily. As
an
example we have received a certificate for a flag to be flown over the
US
Capitol in honor or memory of your choice (donated by Senator Sam
Brownback);
an autographed memoir by Senator Bob Dole; Autographed book by
Congressman Jim
Ryun; Autographed autobiography by James Earl Jones; autographed photos
of Tony
Curtis, Rue McClanahan,
Charlie Daniels, John Stossel,
James Caan, John Travolta, Terry
Bradshaw, Joey Bishop, Ron White,
Alabama, NCIS Cast, Denzel Washington, and others.
We also have two KU Jayhawks mens’ and
womens’ team basketballs autographed by the entire team and coaching
staff; an
autographed Texas A & M Football and items will be coming from the
K.C.
Chiefs and NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson.
We have an artists proof signed by Ted Watts.
There are also many items not autographed
such as a group of items from Desperate Housewives (t-shirt, hat,
etc.), set of
basketball cards and much more. Remember
to keep watching the website for new items.
Brochures are being printed and should be available soon which
will
include entry forms for all the contests and activities.
Don’t forget to send your family information
in with your water bill. If you have lost your form just write the
information
on a piece of paper.
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.
Everyone can be very proud of this facility.
It is
being rented every weekend during November and December.
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
CRAWFORD
COUNTY RWD #7: Our
last
rate increase to our customers was May, 2004.
On August
1, 2005
we received a rate increase from our supplier which was NOT
passed on to you but absorbed by RWD #7.
This past summer our District's Waterline Improvement Project
was
completed and the final figures have been processed and the first
payment on
the loan has been made. Starting
January, 2007, you will notice a Debt Service Fee of $3.00 which will
be added
to all water bills each month in order to pay off the loan for this
project.
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
VOLUNTEERS: We
always welcome new volunteers. Contact
any of the directors or committee chairpersons.
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