U.S. 36 Highway Assoc., Inc.
NEWSLETTER
Summer 2014
Volume 4,
Issue 2
From the President’s Desk
Launching our next 100 years is an honor to be treasured. I look forward to working with the creative spirits
of our membership, board members, specialists and all
Kansans along the way!
Our annual June ‘Open’ meeting in Seneca began with an
excellent Thursday evening reception at the Spring Creek
Golf & Country Club. Friday’s activities took place at the
Willows Restaurant & Bar. Thank you to both locations
for their hospitality and elegant atmospheres!
New President Elected June 13th, 2014
Meet Lee ‘Doc’ Franklin… native Kansan from
Decatur County! In 2006, ‘Doc’ returned to Kansas to live
on the family ranch near Jennings. In addition to managing his multi-faceted ranch, ‘Doc’ serves on several local
and state boards, including Economic Development for
Decatur County.
We are glad Bob Strevey, also a Decatur County
Board member, asked ‘Doc’ to join the Association in
2010. Effective June 13, 2014, at the Annual Association
‘Open’ meeting, the Board elected ‘Doc’ as president. He
follows Chad Kramer of Kramer Oil Company, Marysville,
KS who served from 2012- 2014. Chad remains on the
US 36 Association Board, helping to represent Marshall
County.
‘Doc’, by all accounts qualifies to be the ‘Renaissance Man’! His keen eye for progress combined with a
vision for the future, will help launch the Association in
a positive direction for its next 100 years. ‘Doc’ holds an
undergraduate degree from Wichita State and a Master’s
degree in Economics & Marketing from the University of
North Dakota. As an Air Force Captain, he received the
Distinguished Flying Cross in 1973 for his rescue missions
in Vietnam. Combine these achievements with a stellar career as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, E.F.
Hutton and the J.P. Morgan family, the Association is in
“good hands”, going forward!
For those inquisitive minds…. Yes, ‘Doc’ is proud
of his direct lineage to, Ben!
Drawing on the 2013 presentation theme by Mike King,
Kansas Secretary of Transportation, together with this
year’s theme on ‘Preservation’, by Jeff Stewart, KDOT
District Three Engineer provided the perfect segway
for Association board members to begin discussions on
branding a “Route 36 Experience”!
In the fall of 2013, Governor Brownback accepted an
invitation to go pheasant hunting in Norton. Hosted by
Rep. Ward Cassidy, the Governor also toured the Arickaree Breaks near St. Francis. Surprised and impressed,
Governor Brownback expressed a directive to the Kansas
Tourism and Travel department heads and staffs, that
new emphasis be placed on “Scenic Byways” and related promotions of travel and tourism along Highway 36.
Therefore, our timely initiation of the “Route 36 Experience” will benefit from both Travel and Tourism Staff
attention, as well as the Department of Transportation.
The concept of a full-color photo-journal of the best of
each County and Community showing kids and adults
enjoying our many attractions, similar to the Route 66
brochure will take some strategic planning.
This will be the focus of many conversations throughout
the Fall & Winter of 2014-2015!
Meanwhile, the Treasure Hunt feedback, visitor comments, and suggestions are worth their weight in gold.
Samples taken from our website’s Guest Book, include:
“Kansans are the nicest people in the world!”; “I went
on Treasure Hunt with my Parents………..we had a great
time! Plan to do it next year!”; “Enjoy your wonderful
people, and how clean and refreshing your towns are!”
; “Our preferred route [from Montana to Indiana] to see
the Real America!”
People from every walk of life are expressing a “disconnect” with a valued past, and are telling us we are
(Continued on Page 2)
U.S. 36 Highway Assoc., Inc.
NEWSLETTER
Summer
2014
Page Two
Bonnie Youngquist Retires after 40 years of service
Bonnie Youngquist’s name is synonymous with US 36
Highway Association! It is rare, these days, to know
someone who dedicates 40 years of service to an organization! Across Kansas and beyond, much gratitude
and appreciation goes to Bonnie for her excellent record
keeping on events and literature over the years. Without
a doubt, Bonnie “Embodies” the term dedication!
While she announced her retirement effective April 2014,
she remained active throughout the planning for the
Association’s annual June meeting.
It was October 1973…. When, Floyd Huenergarde, also
known as, “Mr. US 36”, established the office in Smith
Center, KS and hired Bonnie. During her tenure, Bonnie
saw a number of significant US Highway 36 projects
come to life and reach completion. For example; The
Missouri River Bridge; the Marysville railroad re-routing
and bridge project; The Republican River bridge project,
west of Scandia; the Docking Institute Study; the 2010
dedication of the 4-lane US 36 Highway across Missouri.
Between 1990 and 2001, Bonnie was also a Field Representative doing membership drives in various counties.
Bonnie also helped launch Treasure Hunt in 2006.
On June 21, 2013, during the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the US 36 Highway Association, Bonnie received
a plaque honoring her 40 years of service! It is without
question Bonnie’s knowledge of this organization is un-
LEE ‘DOC’ FRANKLIN, PRESIDENT
U. S. 36 HWY ASSOCIATION, INC.
36 ASSOCIATION CELL: 774 - 277 - 1922
EMAIL: [email protected]
2198 ‘N’ Lane
Jennings, KS 67643
CRIQUET COLE, SECRETARY/MARKETING
U S 36 HWY ASSOC., INC.
205 F STREET, SUITE 120
PHILLIPSBURG, KS 67661
WWW.USHWY36.COM
EMAIL: [email protected]
785.282.3548
equaled. While Bonnie may have retired her breadth of
knowledge is a treasured resource! With the on-set of
the future US 36 Highway Association Museum in Norcatur, KS, Bonnie is sure to play an important role in this
initiative as it comes to life!
Thanks to Bonnie, much of the materials used for the
Association’s Traveling Display results from her well organized archived records!
Everyone across Kansas and beyond sends Bonnie his or
her Best Wishes!
From the President’s Desk
(Continured from Page One)
providing the “re-connect”, and re-establishing the continuity between time past, time present, and time future
they are seeking. This can’t be bought anywhere; and we
have it to share with them. This very rare mutual asset
bodes well for our futures.
On that subject, Treasure Hunt participants are asking
for more social opportunities at the end of the day, like
“Street Dances”, “BBQ Watermelon Feeds”, “Ice Cream
Socials”…………you get the drift………and I’m getting hungry.
I look forward to meeting with Mayors, City Managers/
Councils, Association Members, and all Kansans along the
way, as we reach out to include everyone in the Route 36
Experience !
Have a Great Kansas Summer!
U.S. 36 Highway Assoc., Inc.
NEWSLETTER
Summer
2014
Page Three
June – Annual ‘Open’ Meeting in Seneca
This year’s summer meeting for the US 36 Highway Association, convened at the Willow’s Restaurant and Bar,
on US Hwy 36, in Seneca! Following opening remarks by
president, Chad Kramer, Seneca’s City Administrator, Matt
Rhader gave the audience a ‘Welcome to Seneca’ presentation! Courtney Schmelzle, Chamber of Commerce
Director thanked everyone for taking time to visit downtown Seneca and patronizing many Seneca’s businesses!
Presentations from KDOT representatives ranged from
‘Preservation vs. New Construction’; to disseminating
KDOT News through ALL Social Media platforms! Also
present was State Representative Sharon Schwartz and
her husband, along with Nathan Cox from Tim Huelskamp
office.
Jeff Stewart, District Three Engineer from Norton, highlighted KDOT’s T-Works Projects and the preservation
projects over the next 10 years! Randy West, District Two
Engineer from Salina spoke on the cost of keepinga perspective on the costs totative Sharon Schwartz and her
husband, along with Nathan Coxt;drives.ers in Phillipsburg, KS. p roads safe and cleared throughout the 201314 winter! The average daily cost of $8.50/day totaled
$22 million dollars to keep roads safe and commerce
moving across Kansas! Chris Herrick, KDOT’s Planning
Dept. explained that motor fuel tax is not indexed to
inflation. This issue is being addressed at various legislative levels. And while the Federal government provides
23% of funding, but the state draws on cash reserves to
fund T-Works projects. In closing, Kim Qualls, KDOT Public
Affairs Manager, gave examples of how ALL Social Media
platforms play an important role to inform the public on
projects, historical sites all the while inviting visitors to
Kansas. Communicating with KDOT through Social Media
is easy!
Visit : www.ushwy36.com – Click on the KDOT Icon to get
the latest updates on T-Works & other activities!
Go to www.ushwy36.com
to find full details and information
about businesses and attractions
in each county along U.S. 36 Highway
Left to right: Kansas Representative, Sharon Schwartz; Nathan
Cox, Constituent Service Representative for Congressman Tim
Huelskamp; Randy West, KDOT District Two Engineer, Salina,
KS; Mr. Schwartz; Jeff Scott, KDOT District Three Engineer,
Norton, KS ; Chris Herrick, KDOT Planning Dept.; Kim Qualls,
KDOT Public Affairs Manager, NE Kansas District; from Sabetha,
KS - Nancy Gafford, Executive Director, Rural Development
Association of NE Kansas.
US 36 Highway Association
Office Moves to Phillipsburg
For over 25 years, the US 36 Highway Association maintained an office in downtown Smith Center.
In light of Bonnie Youngquist’s retirement and the need
to move historical materials to Norcatur for the museum,
this prompted reviewing the Association’s needs. At the
June Association meeting, the Board voted to accept a
proposal to move the office to Phillipsburg blending the
Field Representative position held by Christiane ‘Criquet’
Cole with the secretarial duties, thereby creating a Secretarial / Marketing position.
The new office is located inside the Fischer Building at:
205 ‘F’ Street – Suite # 120
P.O. Box 10
Phillipsburg, KS 67661
The phone number remains (785) 282 – 3548
E-mail the Association @ [email protected]
The Fall meeting of the
US Highway 36 Association
will take place
Thursday, November 13th, 2014 in
Mankato, at the
Buffalo Roam Restaurant.
U.S. 36 Highway Assoc., Inc.
NEWSLETTER
Summer
2014
Page Four
Treasure Hunt is Coming….. Treasure Hunt is Coming
3rd weekend
September 19, 20 & 21st!
Are YOU Ready ? Have you ordered
your Treasure Hunt apparel & Gifts!
For ALL your Travel Plans
– Maps – and Apparel GO to
www.ushwy36.com
Gear Up For This
Year’s Hunt!!!
Sept. 19th, 20th, and 21st
2014
Norcatur – Update on Future Hwy 36 Museum
Bob Strevey – Grant funding
In our previous report about the Museum initiative the focus was on the February 2014 meeting of the Kansas Historical Society and receiving the ‘seal of
approval’ to move forward.
Congratulations to Bob Strevey, his team of professionals and the citizens of
Norcatur for their successful achievement!
Once the approval to move forward was in place, the next step focused on
writing the Grant Request. This part also needed to illustrate the existence of
financial support and commitment. Hence, a fundraiser was organized.
A ‘Metal Drive’ held in July, generated a base of slightly more than $2,000. With
this initial start, Bob and his advisory committee drafted the Grant Request papers and delivered them to Topeka in mid-August!
Bob and his team will need interested persons to step forward as the future unfolds. If you are interested in this Museum
initiative, please contact :
Bob Strevey – P.O. Box 204 – Norcatur, KS 67653 – [email protected] - (785) 693 – 4597
Deb Marshall – Norcatur City Clerk – P.O. Box 89 Norcatur, KS 67653
Web Contact Information:
Christiane “Criquet” Cole, Webmaster • [email protected] • 785.540.4248