TEG
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016
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Celebrate the good
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B E N N E T T
BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HIM
to emulate,” Ace said. “He had his
granddad and his father. I don’t
think there was anyone more proud
The opportunity to age slipped than his dad when he came back ...”
out of Brenton Bennett’s control to join the Bennett dental practice.
Wednesday afternoon. Chances are,
Above and beyond
however, the irrepressible dentist
The young dentist quickly benever would have grown old in the
came involved beyond the confines
traditional sense of the word.
Bennett, 52, died Wednesday of the office. He, Ace and a handful
afternoon at Newman Regional of other local dentists put themHealth, where he was taken after the selves on a rotation to provide denmotorcycle he was riding collided tal services to patients Friday mornwith an SUV at the intersection of ings at the Flint Hills Community
Ninth Avenue and Chestnut Street. Health Center.
Bennett also found opportunities
Friends consistently mentioned
Bennett’s ability to interject fun and to provide dental care beyond his
laughter and kindness as he dedicat- home area.
“He went to every Kansas Mised himself to his patients and to the
sion of Mercy they ever had, I think,”
many causes he chose to support.
“He was 52 going on 18. He was Ace said. “... If there was a cause he
just a free spirit,” said retired dentist was interested in, he got behind it
Gary Ace. “The innocence of youth 100 percent.”
KMOM dentists would gather in
is so important, and we lose it.
“If everybody had a little Brenton a host city for two days to give free
Bennett inside of them, it would be dental care to those who could not
afford traditional dentistry.
a better world out there.”
Records showed that in JanuWhen Ace returned to Emporia
to open a dental practice, his mentor ary 2011, Bennett and two staff
had been Bennett’s father, Dr. Rich- members were part of a team of 135
ard Bennett. Ace watched Brenton dental volunteers who treated 1,638
grow from a teenager into a young patients in two days and set a record
man who followed his father into total of providing $1,248,344.90 in
dentistry, as Richard Bennett him- free dental care.
self had done.
“He had two wonderful dentists
Please see Bennett, Page 3
By Bobbi Mlynar
Special to the Gazette
LAPS 4
LANDON IS
TUESDAY
Special to the Gazette
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Brenton Bennett often dressed as an elf for the zoo’s Happy
Holidaze event.
Bennett was a frequent volunteer for Kansas Mission of Mercy,
which provides free dental care for those who need it. Top, Bennett
and zoo docent Jan Traylor. Bennett was a perennial board member
of the Emporia Friends of the Zoo.
Raising money and awareness
for cystic fibrosis is the goal of the
ninth annual Laps 4 Landon event
at Emporia State’s Welch Stadium
on Tuesday.
The event, from 6 to 8 p.m.
that night, includes a variety of
fun activities — walking on the
track, a bouncy house for the
kids, live music, a silent auction,
a prize table where tickets can
be purchased for $1 each and the
Plinko Board, which is back by
popular demand for only $1 per
drop with a guaranteed prize.
In addition, Emporia State athletes, including the men’s basketball and football teams, will be on
the field ready to get their game
on with the older kids.
All funds raised through these
activities go to the CF FoundaPlease see Laps, Page 3
STRONG CITY CELEBRATES NEW PLAYGROUND
By Jesse Murphy
[email protected]
Strong City residents had much
to celebrate this weekend. After
months of planning, fundraising
and a full week of volunteers working hard, the Strong City park project was completed.
Planning for the project began
months ago. A design was created with input from community
members, including the children
who will be using the playground.
The playground features multiple
swings, slides and climbing equipment. There are also plenty of
benches for parents to sit and visit
while their children play.
In just seven days, volunteers
broke ground and worked diligently
to complete the playground by the
end of the day Saturday. Rain on
Sunday put a damper on the celebration party planned for Sunday
evening but it didn’t damper the excitement and appreciation of community members.
“So wonderful,” Melissa Schmidt
said on the Strong City Park Project Facebook Page. “Thank you all
for your hard and speedy work. So
happy for the kiddos and families in
our community. This will be a real
treasure for years to come.”
Due to rain, the celebration parPlease see Playground, Page 3
COURTESY PHOTO
After months of planning and fundraising and a full week of volunteers working, the Strong City Park
was completed on Saturday.
COURTESY PHOTO
Volunteers work at the Strong City Park on Friday.
VOL. 124, NO. 248
COURTESY PHOTO
Throughout the week teachers brought eager students to watch the volunteers work at the park. The
children are excited about having a new playground to call their own.