Jenny (Ellenwood) Conley July 15, 2009 18:58:10 (EDT)

Wish I could, but I live too far away now,

Ann July 15, 2009 15:07:20 (EDT)

Count me in!

Jerry D. July 15, 2009 13:12:13 (EDT)

CALLING ALL BENSONITES !!!!!
There will be a volunteer clean up of overgrown brush and small trees that are around the remaining buildings at the Benson's Park property.
the clean up will take place this Saterday 7/18/09 and Sunday 7/19/09 starting at 8;00 am each day.
Doing this work with volunteers, will save approximately $2800.00. Money that could be used for materials in other volunteer projects.
Please come and help the park get closer to the goal of opening to the public.
Refreshments and bug spray will be supplied. Bring tools if you have them.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. JERRY D.

Ann July 15, 2009 07:40:22 (EDT)

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1184948
Great artcle on Benson's and Arthur Provencher in Wednesday's Boston Herald.

Steve July 13, 2009 19:51:07 (EDT)

See the Lowell Sun article about the reunion.

"A day of nostalgia at Benson's Animal Farm"
By John Collins, jcollins@lowellsun.com
Updated: 07/11/2009 06:35:45 AM EDT

HUDSON, N.H. -- Two weeks ago, just before Arthur Provencher, the last owner of Benson' Wild Animal Farm, opened the temporary exhibit of his vast Benson's memorabilia collection to the public at Hills Memorial Library...

Jay July 13, 2009 18:35:38 (EDT)

Okay, Okay,enough of the love fest. Just kidding Cathy and I would like to Thank Cindy, Dennis for having no wife for weeks and Kathy and James for the use of their house and providing us with a fantastic weekend. Thanks to Arthur for the saving all his goodies all these years and sharing them with all one more time(hope it becomes part of the new park). Thanks to all that shared their memories with us and the stories we all got to tell and just pickup where we left things 22 years ago. We are all older and hopefully wiser but the weekend sent us all right back and it was damn good fun. Thanks !!!!!
P.S. thanks Steve for providing this site for our rants and raves and reconnecting with old friends.

Kathy July 13, 2009 09:39:31 (EDT)

No, Cindy......thank YOU!!! I know that you and Arthur are responsible for 99% of all the hard work and care that went into making the exhibit a complete success. You were both there every single day of the two week show and you had the task of hooking up the wagon, twice a day, everyday and transporting it to the library. (I'm gonna miss our daily visits). So, from me, a HUGE thank you to you and Arthur for a walk down memory lane and lots & lots of laughs.

Cindy Provencher July 12, 2009 19:39:06 (EDT)

To all of you who visited us at the Benson's Exhibit, Thank you and we're glad you enjoyed it. Thank You for sharing your stories we enjoyed to hear every last one. Thank you for showing your continous support. Until the next time stay and play safe and We'll see you down the road.

Mark Nelson July 12, 2009 18:47:45 (EDT)

I also made the trip down to the Library today from Keene, and it was amazing. I expected to find a small display in the corner of a library, and was thrilled to find what was essentially a Benson's Museum. It was a big kick to be able to talk to Mr. Provencher and thank him both for lending the display items as well as giving me so many great memories from my many trips to Benson's as a kid in the early 80s. Through this exhibit, I was able to "visit" Benson's one last time, my memories of the place mingling with those of others who were also recalling and retelling old stories. I had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was there today, as did most of the other people I saw looking at everything. GIANT thanks to everyone involved in putting this together!

Andrew Patterson July 12, 2009 11:07:35 (EDT)

I just left the Benson's exhibit at the Hudson Library and it was fantastic. Lots of pictures, (even a few of me) and very well displayed.
I do have one question, and its a question I asked for the first time 30 years ago. I was met with blank stares then, and I was met with almost the same blank stares when I asked it again today at the exhibit.
Concerning the enormous framed aerial shot of Benson's that used to hang in the office:
How does an aerial shot of Benson's from the 40's have cars from the 1960's in it? Lol.

Larry Records July 11, 2009 21:47:04 (EDT)

Anyone who misses Benson's or never had a chance to go there would no doubt enjoy a visit to Southwick's Zoo in Mendon Mass.. Formerly also a "wild animal farm" it is now New England's largest zoo. This is privately owned like Benson's and although a major zoological park it includes animal shows, elephant and camel rides, mechanical rides and a new "skyfari" ride that takes you in a big triangle over the zoo. This is a modern barless zoo with major exhibits for big cats, rhinos, chimps and others. Recent births include a giraffe, chimp, mandrill and many more.
Check out the website at www.southwickszoo.com.
My wife Lee Burpee and I have performing animals plus camel and pony rides at the zoo. It would be great to see fellow Benson's alumni or anyone with an interest in Benson's so stop by the show area or animal rides and ask for us. We're there almost every day.
I noticed the reunion photo. What a good looking bunch of old folks.
Ken & Tom Brown, Jim and Vickie Guill are you out there somewhere?

Matt Haefner July 11, 2009 12:50:14 (EDT)

Hi Charlie,

If you would like to get a hold of just about anything related to Bensons, simply make your way over to the Hills Memorial Library here in Hudson. There is a temporary Benson's exhibit there until TOMORROW! So I suggest you make your way over there before it all goes away! Thanks! And good luck!

Kathy July 11, 2009 10:43:50 (EDT)

Article from today's Lowell Sun (7/11/09)
http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_12816519

Jerry D July 10, 2009 20:06:15 (EDT)

GOOD NEWS All Bensonites !!! The first piece of constuction equipment arrived at the property today !!!
YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

Cathy Souza July 9, 2009 20:14:15 (EDT)

I worked at Play world the very last year it was open, ran the kiddy rides, we had such a ball working there, I miss it terribly.

James H July 9, 2009 13:13:39 (EDT)

Never got to see Benson's open, but I know people who went there as children. I go there and fly RC planes in the field near where the big mound of Asbestos fill is being stored. But this is where I tricked my GF into going with me under the guise of Geocaching. I'd had a friend hide a geocache with a marriage proposal by a lake in the rear of the property.. right near that tinsle/metal/lit palm tree remains are. Would be great to see someone do something with the place.

Cindy Provencher July 8, 2009 18:50:00 (EDT)

Eric, Sorry you missed the reunion, please send me contact info so I can keep it on file for next time we get togather... Thanks

Eric July 8, 2009 11:37:26 (EDT)

Looks like I missed the reunion...thanks, Mika...maybe next time. Please keep me on a mailing list for future gatherings.

charlie sherman July 8, 2009 09:36:10 (EDT)

hi all,
this is charlie sherman (formerly of channel9) and i host a morning news/talk show on WGIR in manchester. i recently did a show on pleasure island and would very much like to do one on Benson's. i am looking for help in contacting arthur provencher and others who would make for good guests to look back at the history of Benson's.
i am looking to do the show on a monday or tuesday morning from 8 to 9am.
thanks,
Sherm