Funds for memorial bench for Benjamin Kramer and Chris.
 

We were talking yesterday at Doggie Doo Run Run about collecting funds for a Memorial Bench for Ben Kramer as well as a woman who died recently who also came to DDRR quite often. Chris.

Not sure about any specifics as yet. The fund collection would be at DDRR and you should probably talk to a employee there first before giving any money for Chris and Ben's Memorial.

We were thinking about a bench that actually survives the humidity and rain. This would be at the same place you often saw Benjamin Kramer sleeping or just relaxing with Gypsy nearby. Chris had two Italian greyhounds and was always doing laps with them.

I talked to DDRR employee Joe about this this morning. I hope anyone who knew Ben and Gypsy as well as Chris (very friendly woman with two Italian greyhounds) will help spread the word and make Ben and Chris' bench a reality.

Not sure how much one of these sturdy benches cost or what kinds of materials fits in with the design of Doggie Doo Run Run.

Bump for Ben and Chris. Sturdy bench.

Tal, I think this idea is wonderful, and thank you for this effort for a good cause. I don't know anything about the particulars (cost etc) but I will definitely contribute.

John

Thanks. We are sorting out the details. The crowd at Doggie Doo Run Run this morning had a lot of input but getting them to agree on what to buy and where to put the bench may be a headache. We also of course most importantly have to listen to Scott and Laura's views and what they would like to see honoring the memories of Ben Kramer and Chris.

Ben Kramer Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

I do not have a last name for Chris. She was a very nice woman who walked around with her two Italian greyhounds. We still need to get the input of Ben's family here in the Villages as well as that of Chris' friends and family.

Malibu Memorial Benches | Recycled Plastic | Park Benches | Belson Outdoors

These look economical and practical.

http://www.belson.com/Memorial-Benches

Note at Doggie Doo Run Run.
 

There is now a note at the small dog section of Doggie Doo Run Run telling people if they want to donate towards a Memorial "bench" that they should talk to Scott, Joe, or Tony.

I hope that we can get enough funds for a nice Memorial "bench" for Christine and Ben.

Tal, I'd like to make a contributation to a bench to honor the memory ot two wonderful people who visited DDRR daily.
Ben and Chris will both be missed.
I'm not in TV. Perhaps you could post the details of where to send a donation?

Hello, Barefoot and Fireboy.

The address for Doggie Doo Run Run is:

Scott Mandrell
Doggie Doo Run Run
12971 CR 101
Oxford, Florida
34484-2943

I do not know Christine's last name but Benjamin Kramer is Ben's.

They will be missed and I doubt if the bench they now have which Ben was often sitting on will survive that much longer. Many of the donations over the past few years seem to go to the big dog and big field areas.

Christine Lo Monaco (is the person you are thinking of)
Chris's obit was in last Tuesday newspaper. She resided in Bonnybrook.
Her memorial will be held this weekend in Chicago.
An animal lover and lovely lady.
Possible that one of her friends may offer more information on Talk of the Villages or contact the person wanting to make a bench in her memory. Wonderful idea to honor a wonderful person.

Thanks for that information.

The force behind this seems to be the 2:00 PM group in the small dog section of Doggie Doo Run Run. They come at different times if it gets too hot, is raining, or whatever. I come at different times and wanted to assist in making this memorial bench a reality.

CHRISTINE LOMONACO Obituary - Huntley, IL | Chicago Suburban Daily Herald

Here is some more information about Christine.

I do not know how the collection is going for the bench and whether or not there will be one bench with a plaque honoring Ben and Christine or two benches. It probably depends on how much money you can get together.

And Ben's obit-- http://www.hiers-baxley.com/obituaries/Ben-Kramer/

Poly Lumber & POLYWOOD® Benches

This seems to be the kind of bench we would be getting for Chris and Ben. Now, with the idea though of adding plaques on it to honor Bob Buckland and also other people who might pass in the future whose memory others would like to honor in this way.

These are recycled plastic.

http://www.bankspagetheus.com/obitua...bert-Buckland/

Bump for Ben, Christine, and Bob.

Outdoor Polywood Benches - Outdoor Wooden Benches - Cheap Patio Bench

Some cool looking benches from this website. :coolsmiley:

I hope some dog lovers will check out Ben and Chris' Memorial bench as well as Bob's when they are put in at Doggie Doo Run Run. Not sure if there will be one or two now. When you have a group of people pitching in on a project you seldom get the result you imagined when you first set out.

You are welcome. I like the swing in the back of DDRR. Look familiar? http://www.poly-lumber-furniture.com...n-4-swing.html

Outdoor Polywood Benches - Outdoor Wooden Benches - Cheap Patio Bench

This seems to be the kind of bench that Scott wants as a Memorial for Ben, Chris and Bob. Something that is all weather, with no upkeep, and handles the sun, rain, humidity etc., of Central Florida.

Brooklyn Recycled Plastic Park Bench | Wayfair

The DDRR owners I assume are leaning towards this for Ben, Chris and Bob's Memorial Bench. I suppose they will have to modify it with plaques and the like.

Someone had posted a picture of this at the sign-in sheet on the small dog section today, that's why I assumed this is the choice of the owners of DDRR.

Bump for Ben, Chris and Bob.

Memorial Bench for soccer teammate of our son who was killed in a water skiing accident the summer he graduated from high school in 2003. Bench is in the town sports complex.

Ryan's Bench:

.

My husband walks our English and Gordon Setter every morning at the park. I will be sure to have him give a check to Scott. It is so lovely that there is such a caring community of dog lovers.

Thanks. Talked to Tony today and it seems the checks are coming in so to speak to get this Memorial Bench.

That's a very creative bench! Unusual. I like it.

Like some of these company's Memorial Benchs-- Cambridge Park Benches | Recycled Plastic | Memorial Park Benches | Belson Outdoors

DDRR seems to be going with this. http://www.wayfair.com/Frog-Furnishi...-FROG1049.html

The owner of DDRR, of course, gets the only real vote in this. It is the thought that matters as a wise woman said. Whatever bench they get I am sure that Ben, Christine and Bob would be pleased by all the good thoughts about their memories this bench will cause over the years people who loved them still come to Doggie Doo Run Run.

Talked to Joe at Doggie Doo Run Run and they seem to be doing quite well with the donations for this bench and what they envision for the Memorial plaques makes this choice they have a good one. They will be adding bones for future honorees. http://www.wayfair.com/Frog-Furnishi...-FROG1049.html

Bump for bones.

Doggie Doo Run Run bench is getting there in the way of funding for the Memorial Bench for Ben Kramer, Christine Lo Monaco, and Bob Buckland.

There also need a new swing in the back. There have one but two would be so much better.

Check out Doggie Doo Run Run if you have a friendly pooch who wants to let her legs run at top speed.

This is the bench they want for Christine, Ben, and Bob. http://www.wayfair.com/Frog-Furnishi...-FROG1049.html

Outdoor Polywood Benches - Outdoor Wooden Benches - Cheap Patio Bench

Some other good looking benches.

You are welcome. We are slowly getting there for Ben, Bob, and Christine's Memorial Bench.

They also hope to put a swing where there used to be a swing in the big field. They can use donations acknowledged by additions to the Memorial Bench for that via bones with dogs' names.

Ben, Bob, and Christine deserve another bump!

It sounds like Scott's plan. The Memorial Bench might not fit with some people's image of what is appropriate say for a cemetery or even a scenic overlook in the Villages of a pond with alligators. We do have to take into account, however, that this is private property and people have different tastes.

A little reminder of Ben Kramer and his dog Gypsy.

This is from Ben Kramer's Tribute Wall with his granddaughter writing--

Jean was Ben's wife.

Information about our honorees. http://www.bankspagetheus.com/obitua...bert-Buckland/

Bench is up along with dog bones.
 

Luxcraft / Crestville® Plain 4 ft. Glider

This is what they got for Ben, Christine and Bob.

It looks rather classy IMHO.

The bones with the names of the people and their dogs is on a pole next to it.

I still believe they are looking for funds for an additional swing out back.

I will try. I may have to get another DDRR regular who is on Talk of the Villages to do it. I was in DC for 6 days while they put the bench up so I do not know what they are going to do about these bones. They may just be for people who have passed and showing their dogs. You can purchase one of the plastic bones on poles in the back field near the water bowl and swing as well as by the swimming pool in the big dog section. Joe had mentioned that these were for $100 donations.