The Waubonsie Memorial Building has just received a "makeover" thanks to grants, memorial contributions, and countless volunteer hours.In March 2016, the building received a grant from the Ringgold County HELP Youth Pod for the purchase of interior paint and tile flooring. In June 2016, the building received a grant from South Central Iowa Community Foundation for six tables and 100 chairs. Memorial contributions enabled the purchase of new carpet. Thanks to all of these sources, the bulding now has a wonderful new look.
Over 25 years ago, a group of people in the Benton area saw a need for a "gathering place" in their small community. They used money raised during their Centennial, community donations, and volunteer labor to construct the community building in Benton.
Since then this building is in constant use. Coffee drinkers gather each morning for a few hours. The Maloy Shamrocks 4-H club uses the building for their monthly meetings. Funeral dinners, family reunions, graduation and birthday parties are held in the building. The Antique Tractor Club holds their regular meeting each month in Benton. The annual Benton Alumni Banquet is held in the building each Memorial weekend.
The community center is also a museum for the Benton School and town memorabilia. Trophies, yearbooks and class composites are all on display in the building.
The second Saturday night of the mont a "Breakfast for Supper" fundraiser is held. Local volunteers prepare and serve the free-will offering meal.
All community members are encouraged to come check out Benton's newly updated "gathering place."
Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2017
The Waubonsie Memorial Building has just received a "makeover" thanks to grants, memorial contributions, and countless volunteer hours.
