memorial bench

Bud Caldwell visits his wife's memorial bench in Lakeside Park every day. But during the winter, the heavy Wisconsin snowfall makes it difficult for him. So on those days, he speaks to her from his car stopped near the park.

That is until two thoughtful park employees noticed him sitting there. They came to Bud's assistance and shoveled a path so he could make his way to the bench and the plaque displaying his wife's photograph.

The story behind Caldwell's routine is truly amazing. Every day for the past two years, the 82-year-old visits the memorial bench he bought to honor his late wife Betty. They spent 56 years together.

He brings a daisy, which he leaves for her to commemorate one of their favorite songs: "Daisy a Day." He also leaves a penny on top of the bench, to honor their other favorite

Source: Resources for the Future surve

What types of challenges do state park directors face? Perhaps they can be solved with a Buy-A-Bench memorial bench or picnic table program.

Resources for the Future, non-profit organization founded in 1952 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., conducted a study a few years ago of state park directors to get an insight into the types of challenges they encounter and how they rank them in terms of minor problems or huge headaches.

The group's mission is to apply economics as a way to develop more effective policies on the use and conservation of natural resources.

Not surprisingly, results from the survey revealed lack of funding as the No. 1 headache. As states have tightened their budgetary belts, it seems the places that many legislators like to pick on are state parks.

According to the