Franklin Community Newsletter
February, 2007
www.franklinkansas.com

 
Upcoming Events
 
March 3      Bargain Bazaar & Chili Feed
March 4      FCCI Board Meeting  (2 pm)
March 10    Centennial Meeting
March 11    Water Board Meeting (2 pm)
March 12    Funeral Dinner Committee Meeting (7pm)
March 15    Lifelong Friends (11am)
April 14       Community Work Day
June 23-24   Centennial
 
 
We would like to extend our sympathies to the families of the following people who were residents or former residents of Franklin and passed away this past month.   We value the importance of all our residents (past and present).   In memory of: Lola Gladys Harris, Fred Goodhart and John Houck.
 
FUNERAL DINNERS
* Committee Meeting March 12 at 7 pm *        (Marion Kobak 620-347-8444)
Please remember that the community center is available for funeral dinners at no charge to the family.  FCCI will once again begin providing meals for funeral dinners for Franklin residents AND former Franklin residents.  Families are responsible for paying for meat for the dinner but side dishes and beverages will be prepared and served by residents of the community.   A meeting will be held March 12 at 7 pm at the Community Center for those interested in helping with this very worthwhile volunteer effort.   Please make plans to attend. If you are unable to attend but are willing to help (serve at dinners, hostess, prepare food, etc.) please contact Marion.
 
CONTRIBUTORS
Thanks to Hazel Goodhart, Dianna Morrison, Crawford County, and other miscellaneous donations. Memorials were left in the name of John Seglie, Fred Goodhart and John Houck.  We are truly grateful for each and every donation and are blessed to have such wonderful residents and “friends”. 
 
Donations can be made at any time in any amount to any project.  If you’d like to donate to help with funeral dinners, park, gardens, lawn upkeep, building maintenance, historic projects, postage, newsletters, office supplies, etc.  just send a donation along with a note of the specific item you would like the money used toward.    There are continual ongoing needs at all of the properties.  While we have many volunteers to help there are always expenses toward those projects.   Send donations to FCCI, P. O. Box 43, Franklin, Ks. 66735
 
CHILI FEED & BARGAIN BAZAAR      
March 3, 2007      (Marion Kobak 620-347-8444)
PLEASE HELP!!  Clean out your closets and get rid of those unwanted gifts and other items.  Proceeds will go directly to the community center debt.  If you have items to donate call Marion 347-8444 or Gay 347-4305 as soon as possible.   Arrangements will be made for items to be dropped off. If you are unable to bring your items we can make arrangements to have them picked up.   We are accepting new and used items.  Last years sale was a huge success.   Lots of fun for everyone.  This is an easy way to contribute to the community.  Chili will be made by Franklin’s own Leroy Younger.  Chili will be served starting at 11 am.  Carryouts available.  Sale starts at 7 am.   Join us for a day of fun and have lunch while you’re there.  Keep the community spirit alive!!
 
LIFELONG FRIENDS
March 15, 2007     (Margaret Kennedy 347-4358)
The February meeting was held February 22.    Everyone enjoyed the program  “Change Something” which was  presented by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.   Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month.    Admission is free.   Refreshments are available.  Join us on March 15 which is Severe Weather Awareness Week.  The program will be presented by the National Weather Service. It will be a very interesting presentation regarding the tornadoes of 2003 in southeast Kansas. You won’t want to miss this event and we are honored to have the National Weather Service present this program.   The program will begin at 11 am with a light lunch following.
 
COMMUNITY WORK DAY
April 14, 2007         (Ray Hamblin 620-347-4228)
We will meet at the park at 8 am to complete a list of projects.  Lunch will be served. Please come and help in any way that you can. 

COMMUNITY CENTER

(Dianna Morrison 620-347-8807 or 620-249-2059)
The hall continues to be used on a regular basis for many family and business events.  Call for rental information.  
 
CRAWFORD COUNTY RWD #7
Remember to protect your water meter from freezing during these winter months.  Make sure the meter lid fits down tightly on the tile to keep out the cold winds. Filling a plastic bag with leaves or crumpled papers and placing on top of the meter will help to insulate.   Several complaints have been received regarding our water pressure and we have approached our supplier to check into this situation

“CENTENNIAL” 
     June 23-24, 2007       (Phyllis Bitner, 620-347-8387)
MEETING:  March 10,  2007  Saturday morning 10 am.   Please attend if you are interested in helping in any way with the centennial.   Committee members will discuss all aspects of the event. Sign up charts will be available if you wish to help.   Help make this a successful community event.   Come and be a part of this memorable event!
HISTORY:  Time is running out for pictures, stories, memories, etc. to be used for the centennial. While many of you have replied we would welcome more input.   This is your opportunity to be remembered in the community.   There will be historic signs, a DVD is being produced regarding the community and the centennial, a reunion tent will display photos as well as the displays within the community center for everyone to see.  We hope you will all be excited about being a part of this.  What current resident has been in Franklin the longest??
HOTELS:  We have already heard that one hotel is “full” so be sure to remind family members to make their reservations as soon as possible. 
COLLECTIBLES:  Franklin and Centennial Collectibles are available for purchase at  “Occasions”, 508 N. Broadway, Pittsburg  and Past Time Flea Market on 69 Highway.   Items will be available for purchase throughout the weekend of the centennial at the Sales/Information booth.
RAFFLE TICKETS:  Don’t forget the raffle tickets being sold with the top prize of $1,000, 2nd prize $500, 3rd prize $250, 4th prize $100 as well as many other prizes.   If you’d be interested in selling tickets or purchasing them contact Margaret Kennedy at 347-4358. 
SPONSORSHIP:  Thanks to the following businesses that are sponsoring the centennial events:   Pittsburg Interiors, UNB (University National Bank), A & O Signs,  Pittcraft,  Scotty’s Classic Car Museum, Jody Phillips Dance Studio,  Fox Insurance Agency (Rob Lessen).  
CELEBRITY AUCTION:   We continue to receive some very unique autographed items from celebrities as well as many new items from local merchants.   Pittsburg Interiors donated a beautiful King Hickory Melange Sofa upholstered with a mix of fabric and leather.  You’ll want to be sure to attend to bid on these wonderful items.  Many more will be added prior to the centennial. You can follow the list as it is updated on the website.
CONTESTS:  Collector Car Show, Motorcycle Show, Bike Decorating Contest,  Dance Contest, Horseshoe Tournament, Bocce Tournament, Bingo – Lots of fun activities the entire week-end.  Be sure to pre-register. CRAWFORD COUNTY SHOWCASE:  This tent is filling up with organizations, schools, tourism, non-profits, church organizations, etc.   If you know of an organization interested in setting up in this area please let us know.   We want to showcase all of Crawford County so visitors can see how communities can work together for the good of all.
CHILDRENS’ TENT:  Free games and entertainment for the kids.  
CHURCH SERVICES:  Sunday Morning church services will be held in the park at the shelter.   Be sure to come out for a morning of worship before the days festivities begin.
ARTS/CRAFTS/ANTIQUES/FOOD VENDORS:   Vendors will be on the grounds throughout the week-end.
PHOTOGRAPHER:  A photographer will be available to take family photos, group photos, etc. 
POLKA PARTY:  Free polka party Sunday afternoon with music by Johnnie Zibert band.
HISTORIC PROGRAMS:  The historic program regarding the Amazon Army march will be a highlight of the centennial.  There will be no charge to attend the presentation.   The march began at the site of the new Community Center which was in the early years the UMWA hall.    Other programs will be presented throughout the week-end and rumor has it that even Will Rogers will be making a stop in town.  
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Check the areas in which you are able to volunteer your time or talent and return with your water bill or send to FCCI.  
_______   I have items to donate for the Bargain Bazaar
_______  Community Work Day  (April 21)
_______  I will help serve at Funeral Dinners
_______  I will prepare food for Funeral Dinners
 
I am unable to help but would like to donate $________ toward _______________________________________
Centennial  (June 23-24)
________  Help week prior to centennial
________  Work 2-3 hour session in a booth
________   Sell raffle tickets from now until event
________   Help in any way I am needed
________   Attend events in the area at a display table to promote the centennial event.

 
Name:  ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address:  ____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone:  _______________________  Cell Phone: ____________________  E-mail: ________________________
HISTORIC INFORMATION:   Send in photos or memories (New residents also). Original photos will be returned. 
 
Family name:  _______________________________________________________________________
(for example this can be “Smith”, “John & Mary Smith”,  we’d like the name of the first generation of your family that settled in Franklin-whether that is 1929 or 2006)
 
Date of arrival in Franklin:   _________________________(just the year is fine)
Memories: (reason for settling in Franklin, early years in the community, memories of businesses, school, etc..)  
Please attach memories relating to Franklin on an additional sheet.
I am sending the above information to be included in the centennial and community center displays.
 
Signed: _____________________________________________________    Date: __________________
 
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
Mary Ann Shull,  620-347-8411
 
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


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