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Benson Merchants Association calls it a day
Marilyn Gourley/Merchants Association
In 1992, Margie Adams introduced the idea to Chona Reyes, then to Tim and Gayle Hiple and Sid and Dee Mortenson, that there was a need to unite the local merchants and become involved in city workings to help improve local business. Thus, the Benson Merchants Association was born.
Tim Hiple obtained a copy of bylaws from a Tucson group that fit the formation of this merchants association. With little adjustment, bylaws were adopted and Benson Merchants Association was established.
They promoted "buying in Benson," to encourage business owners, and the general public, to frequent all local businesses. The members began going to a different restaurant each month for dinner to support local dining as one of their many endeavors to promote local businesses.
Adams then had a vision of a grand two-day celebration for Benson and the February Territorial Days was established, with many hours and dedication each year by Adams to put on this event.
The Ferris wheel lit the evening sky and the rides continued after a day full of festivities, to include several bands, solo artists, dancing, artworks, contests, the Benson Business and Professional Women's cake walk, the Tombstone Vigilantes, Abe Lincoln and Ronald McDonald. Children had their faces painted by the junior women, and squealed at the sack races where everyone won a prize. They also thrilled at the FFA live animal petting area. There were local dance class students performing, barber shop crooning, local school bands, Cel Potter's colorful square dancers flying through their paces with ease and the famous beard contest. Highlights were the never-ending raffle prizes donated graciously and in abundance by area merchants. Remember the year they raffled a new pickup?
As many as 50 vendors from throughout the west came with a variety of goods for sale, and the famous Benson Merchants hamburgers grilled by a BMA members right behind the hamburger stand run by Esther Martin, Sydney Bullard and their team, sending enticing aromas throughout the area. Garland Bullard was the "master griller" for the final several years to which many proclaimed his hamburgers and Polish dogs the best ever.
First President Tim Hiple was a positive drawing force, which began the success of the Benson Merchants Association through many projects whose profits were returned to the community in the form of scholarships for high school graduating seniors and to provide improvement along 4th Street by donating hundreds of trees and shrubs. Still to come is a metal version of a saguaro, when the City of Benson determines an appropriate place for it.
The association members put a plaque honoring Tim Hiple at the gazebo at the east end of the visitor's center, displaying appreciation and affection for this man who did so much for Benson.
President Marilyn Gourley and the members of the association are announcing that it is time to retire the association, as the mission has been fulfilled by other organizations like the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Rangers Benson Company, City of Benson and others are providing activities very nicely.
We sincerely thank all the merchants and folks who donated their time and energy to make this association a success, and all the local folks who supported events, enabling the earning of several hundred thousand dollars, which is all given back to the community.
The association's remaining funds are being used to set up a Benson Merchants Association Scholarship Endowment Fund with the Cochise College Foundation to provide scholarships to students in this area. This will be ongoing and we encourage all who are interested in this last project to send contributions to Cochise College, 1025 State Route 90, Benson, AZ 85602 with a note indicating the Benson Merchants.
Our many thanks to those who have already made this a contribution choice and have shown their dedication to local education.
In 1992, Margie Adams introduced the idea to Chona Reyes, then to Tim and Gayle Hiple and Sid and Dee Mortenson, that there was a need to unite the local merchants and become involved in city workings to help improve local business. Thus, the Benson Merchants Association was born.
Tim Hiple obtained a copy of bylaws from a Tucson group that fit the formation of this merchants association. With little adjustment, bylaws were adopted and Benson Merchants Association was established.
They promoted "buying in Benson," to encourage business owners, and the general public, to frequent all local businesses. The members began going to a different restaurant each month for dinner to support local dining as one of their many endeavors to promote local businesses.
Adams then had a vision of a grand two-day celebration for Benson and the February Territorial Days was established, with many hours and dedication each year by Adams to put on this event.
The Ferris wheel lit the evening sky and the rides continued after a day full of festivities, to include several bands, solo artists, dancing, artworks, contests, the Benson Business and Professional Women's cake walk, the Tombstone Vigilantes, Abe Lincoln and Ronald McDonald. Children had their faces painted by the junior women, and squealed at the sack races where everyone won a prize. They also thrilled at the FFA live animal petting area. There were local dance class students performing, barber shop crooning, local school bands, Cel Potter's colorful square dancers flying through their paces with ease and the famous beard contest. Highlights were the never-ending raffle prizes donated graciously and in abundance by area merchants. Remember the year they raffled a new pickup?
As many as 50 vendors from throughout the west came with a variety of goods for sale, and the famous Benson Merchants hamburgers grilled by a BMA members right behind the hamburger stand run by Esther Martin, Sydney Bullard and their team, sending enticing aromas throughout the area. Garland Bullard was the "master griller" for the final several years to which many proclaimed his hamburgers and Polish dogs the best ever.
First President Tim Hiple was a positive drawing force, which began the success of the Benson Merchants Association through many projects whose profits were returned to the community in the form of scholarships for high school graduating seniors and to provide improvement along 4th Street by donating hundreds of trees and shrubs. Still to come is a metal version of a saguaro, when the City of Benson determines an appropriate place for it.
The association members put a plaque honoring Tim Hiple at the gazebo at the east end of the visitor's center, displaying appreciation and affection for this man who did so much for Benson.
President Marilyn Gourley and the members of the association are announcing that it is time to retire the association, as the mission has been fulfilled by other organizations like the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Rangers Benson Company, City of Benson and others are providing activities very nicely.
We sincerely thank all the merchants and folks who donated their time and energy to make this association a success, and all the local folks who supported events, enabling the earning of several hundred thousand dollars, which is all given back to the community.
The association's remaining funds are being used to set up a Benson Merchants Association Scholarship Endowment Fund with the Cochise College Foundation to provide scholarships to students in this area. This will be ongoing and we encourage all who are interested in this last project to send contributions to Cochise College, 1025 State Route 90, Benson, AZ 85602 with a note indicating the Benson Merchants.
Our many thanks to those who have already made this a contribution choice and have shown their dedication to local education.
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