HIGHFILL — Three benches in the town’s park were purchased by the Library Association of Highfill and placed in memory of the association’s largest donors.
The Library Association had close to $10,000 and was hoping to eventually renovate the old city-owned Webb House located in the city park according to Library Association member Karen Digby.
When the Library Association’s lease expired the Town of Highfill determined it was not cost effective to renovate the old house and turned it over to the fire departmentfor training purposes. The house was finally burned and removed, according to city administrative assistant Jeanetta Evans.
“Mary Ellen and Bruce Holland, Retha Willis, and Charles and I were the only board members left,” said Digby. “So, a year ago, we met in the park with parks commissioner Sandy Evans, and decided we would like to use our money for memorial benches for some of our large contributors that had died.
Doris Carter had made and delivered pies to raise money for us and Clara Blankenship had given us a donation. The Webb family, hoping to save their family house, had contributed money in memory of their mother and father.
We looked through a catalog that Sandy provided and chose three (park benches) that we felt would use our money and show the respect and dignity of the ones we wanted remembered. We chose the spots for the benches to reflect something about the person whose name is on the bench,” Digby said.
City employees James Wiand and Gary Harcrow installed the benches on the concrete pads.
“We thank the city for their help,” Digby said.
The three benches, located on the west side of the park, each have a memorial plaque attached to remind park users of the contributions made by the Webbs, Carter and Blankenship.
News, Pages 14 on 09/08/2010