Holly M. September 14, 2009 18:56:00 (EDT)

are you going to open up the animal farm. i heard a lot about it. it sounds so fun .

Jerry D September 12, 2009 16:13:54 (EDT)

Had a great clean up day at Benson Park today. 10 dedicated volunteers worked hard all morning in the rain on trails and points of intrest.
GREAT JOB !!!!!!

Joetta Varanasi September 11, 2009 10:34:48 (EDT)

Benson's Animal Farm was one of a kind. Spending the day there was a delightful family experience.

We, especially, loved the little train that ran around the
Animal Farm.

Joetta Varanasi

Jerry D September 10, 2009 08:52:56 (EDT)

volunteer clean up at Beenson Park this SAT. 9/12/09 8am to 2pm
will be working on trails and grounds.

Concerned September 5, 2009 11:21:15 (EDT)

Sentimental, Well said !!!

Another Sentimental Fan September 5, 2009 06:37:16 (EDT)

There were many various 'eras' of Bensons, whether you worked there or visited. Whatever the era, folks all share the same special feel and bond about having been a part of this unique place. It's rare that such a variety of people can, especially over such a span of time, share such a common sentimentality towards a towards 'a place'. Bensons means many different things to many people. One common factor is 'fondness'. We are fortunate. Let's hope that this 'place' has the opportunity to evolve into another form of 'place' for many others to enjoy and the rest of us to reminisce.

Concerned September 4, 2009 19:20:44 (EDT)

Others would tend to disagree, since if he had not bought it others were standing in line to turn it into Benson Condo City. You were given a gift of having this wonderful place a few more years by a man who truly loved the place, and remember change happens no matter what.

Kathy Libby LaBrie September 4, 2009 13:11:50 (EDT)

The best years at Bensons Wils Animal Farm is when Chet Libby, Jim Murray,Wally Jamason,Jim Crowley, Mom Breault Ester Mcgraw and the Hudson gang of teens all worked there, those were the best days any youth could have. Only wish our children or grandchildren could feel the excitement that we felt every day going to work there. Its really to bad when someone else tries to make changes in a small town. He should have just kept up with the times and tried not to make it something it wasn't meant to be. I bet 100% of the towns people would love to see it as the old Bensons Wild Animal Farm. (Where life was beautiful all the time)remember that song we would play it after hours over the intercom system. alot of great memories.

Karey Dillingham August 27, 2009 16:57:59 (EDT)

I also have alot of childhood memories of bensons my parents took my sister and i alot when we were kids..i have pictures of us with the python and of my dad in the seventies feeding a swan we all loved it at bensons. I wish it was still around for me to take my kids i think they would have enjoyed as much as we did.

Caryn August 27, 2009 14:26:12 (EDT)

Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent at Benson's Wild Animal Farm. We would usually visit the Green Ridge Turkey Farm after a fun day at the park. Hope things work out for those of you who are trying to restore the land.

Eric August 25, 2009 21:19:19 (EDT)

I apologize to the Town of Hudson for leaving the burden of proof in your hands. I have met some very wonderful people while working on this project. I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of this historic event. I am also embarrassed to be associated with the current events and the political empire which you trust your money with. The easiest part of proof is knowing how to plant it, or better yet working for 20 years to learn how.

george and evan August 25, 2009 19:47:03 (EDT)

We do not know all the facts,but what we have seen in the last couple of weeks is pretty sad for everyone.For all the people that has put in there time at bensons, thanks alot from my whole family.Jerry D. keep up the great work.

chris miller August 24, 2009 13:01:36 (EDT)

I remember working the shootingallery and take pic of customers with 18'python and wanting tobe part of the acrew spending time in the elephant barn helping out Jim g. clean cages & feed the girls it was a fun time!!!! I wish I could have seen you guys again? but I was unaware of all this till now. hope to hear from you oldtime friends soon

J D August 24, 2009 11:47:04 (EDT)

Political Floundering and Petty self Interests seems to hit the nail on the head !!!

Bret August 24, 2009 07:15:25 (EDT)

Speaking of banter - what the heck is going on with the Town of Hudson and the Benson property. I've read a few newpaper articles lately that are pretty disheartening and have heard a graet deal of discouragement from many old friends in Hudson. Where did the Town officials develop such a talent for fouling things up so easily. They obtained a very historic and sentimental piece of property for very short money. They've had immense public interest in revamping this land into a park. Numerous volunteers assisting. The great and seemingly unappreciated fortune of having an immense memorabilia collectin provided for FREE by Mr. Provencher.....and more volunteers. Additionally, free publicity. All aspects of a normal organizations dream.

Now the work and metalities have stalled miserably. Losing momentum, opportunities and resources. I'm sure I haven't heard ALL the facts but, I do see that it's time for a variety of folks in 'charge' to put their 'Big Boy Pants' on, step up, refocus and get back to being productive. Perhaps it's time to reread that manual on 'Leadership', 'Team Work', 'Communication' and..... 'Playing Well With Other's'. A great thing was brewing and now it seems to be nose-diving into political floundering. An unimagineable number of taxpayers and sentimental folks are counting on the sound decisions of a very few. Do great things for many people and generations to come or...flounder in petty self interests.

Jay August 23, 2009 22:21:04 (EDT)

Has been pretty quiet on this site of late, whats going on?? Lets get some banter going.

Eric August 14, 2009 12:16:41 (EDT)

Im sorry to hear that the clean up day is canceled. As an owner of the construction company renovating Benson's, we looked forward to participating. Please keep us informed!

Jerry D. August 14, 2009 08:27:56 (EDT)

The volunteer clean up for this weekend Aug 15/16 Has been canceled.
A new date for the next clean up, will be posted soon.
Thanks, Jerry D.

Jason August 13, 2009 21:54:12 (EDT)

I am tirelessly searching for an old friend.. A female lioness whom myself and my family helped raise up in Wells, Maine back in the 80's.
Her name was "Whacky", and she had a big knick in her left ear from where her mother swiped at her in her cage at Yorks Wild Kingdom in York, Maine..
If anyone out there should know where these animals are now, or if there are any pictures of the benson's lions, please, please let me know!
I know when she got too big for us, she was taken to one of benson's parks.. I was very young!

Thank you,
Jason