Betty LaCourse May 10, 2008 18:54:22 (EDT)

I came to Bensons with my grandparents 38yrs.ago and boy do I miss that place.I wish my kids had seen it,there is no place on earth like Bensons.Families had a wonderful time there nomatter what age you were you loved Bensons.God I miss that place, wish someone anyone could have saved it,but we... (more)

Charlie May 5, 2008 06:43:40 (EDT)

My last year could have been 1980..It has been so long. The main areas that I took care of were the monkey house, the bears and other areas as needed. I would have been there to the end, but I had a big blow out with Connie and that was the end of my Benson's career.When I first started at... (more)

Paula W May 4, 2008 14:36:23 (EDT)

Hi! I miss Benson's...I bought my house from Aurthur P. in 1982 (this was a Benson's property) and watched as the train station was moved from the property to the park! The property was subdivided and sold (we bought 5 Greeley). I spent much of my time at Benson's and have quite a history with... (more)

Kathy May 4, 2008 12:34:17 (EDT)

OOOPS, sorry about the double post, was trying to reset for this one. For those of you wondering about other former keepers, I just got this in an e mail from another former employee: Bruce Ashmore is back in Maine, Mika is still at York. Arthur is doing well, Connie passed away last August, Bret... (more)

Kathy May 4, 2008 12:28:16 (EDT)

Andy- I get it all now. I thought that you were the Andy that was on the zoo crew in '81 and I just found out that there were TWO Jackies so I must be thinking of Jackie #2 (who was a 4 year old African when I left)and Andy #2, who, if I remember correctly, worked with Mika with the hoof stock... (more)

Kathy May 4, 2008 12:25:40 (EDT)

Andy- I get it all now. I thought that you were the Andy that was on the zoo crew in '81 and I just found out that there were TWO Jackies so I must be thinking of Jackie #2 (who was a 4 year old African when I left)and Andy #2, who, if I remember correctly, worked with Mika with the hoof stock... (more)

Andy May 4, 2008 11:12:42 (EDT)

Hi Kathy - I only worked there in the summer of 79, and I was there with Tammy Miller on that early morning when Jackie died. Tammy's dad was Whitey Baker, who had been one of the elephant trainers. I'm pretty sure of the year, since I only worked that one summer. Aurthur had the copyright for... (more)

Kathy May 2, 2008 15:19:36 (EDT)

Charlie, I've often wondered what became of Bruce is too. He did go to York and so did Mika and Alcia. But that was so long ago now. What department (animals) did you work in? I have a group picture of the zoo keepers from 1981 with all their names and I don't see yours.

Charlie May 2, 2008 13:58:06 (EDT)

Anybody know what ever happened to Bruce Ashmore? I know that he left to go to Yorks Wild Kingdom in Maine.And I know that Tim Dutton now runs an exotic bird/veterinary clinic in Weare.Just a couple more of the former animal crew members.

Kathy May 2, 2008 11:33:50 (EDT)

Hey Andy, So good to hear from a fellow former keeper. Just read your post about Jackie. I had no idea that she passed and in such a sad way. She was so sweet. Hope that you had a chance to see Queen & Liz at the sanctuary before we lost Queenie too. But I have a question.........are you mistaken... (more)

Andy May 2, 2008 10:42:04 (EDT)

Jackie the elephant passed away the summer of 1979. She had been left outside overnight, and had spent the night standing in a pond. In the morning, she was in such distress that the zoologist Pat Quinn had to put her down. I remember talking to Aurthur that morning and he was quite distraught. He... (more)

kevin April 30, 2008 07:38:00 (EDT)

I worked there for the last 2 years. 2nd year i was in the big barn restaurant cooking with an elderly gentleman - can't rember his name. I can still picture the 2 waitresses, 1 waiter and the bartender. They were great to work with!

Kathy M April 29, 2008 14:48:16 (EDT)

I worked at Benson's from '79 to '81. I started in what was the new Beer Garden directly overlooking the elephant ring where they performed two shows a day. I really wanted to work with the animals but then again, so did everyone else. When an opening came up in the elephant department I asked... (more)

Dot B. April 29, 2008 09:53:18 (EDT)

Fred, You asked if it were true about Betsy the elephant being buried on the property on Benson's. According to the book, Remembering Benson's Wild Animal Farm, by Bob Goldsack, it is true. She died in 1971. Later, there was an African elephant, named Jackie, who died unexpectedly on July... (more)

Ray P April 28, 2008 08:02:40 (EDT)

Check out this link,,it is about Tony the Gorilla ,,a well know gorilla from Benson's,,his name was changed,,read the story on the left side of the page,,,I loved when they had to enclose his cage with fiberglass to keep visitors from being hit with thrown gorilla poo!!! (more)

Fred April 27, 2008 23:53:10 (EDT)

Hello I live behind Bensons on Flying Rock Rd. Someone told me that Betsy the elephants is in a grave site on the property is that true What memories I have from Benson's, driving past it today you can't tell it was even there. My family went to Benson's and the kids all rode Betsy the... (more)

T.C April 20, 2008 20:48:05 (EDT)

WHERE DO SWANS GO IN THE WINTER.AN HOW DO THEY GET THERE?????

Rick Matias April 20, 2008 15:21:24 (EDT)

RIP QUEENIE, I Was going to come visit u this summer.

=(

Damn. i really wanted to bring her an apple.

Kevin O'Keefe April 17, 2008 20:10:19 (EDT)

I can remember the gurilla spitting at me thru a little window,some forty years ago.Also going up in the barn loft,getting wrapped in a blankett,then sliding down from the loft.