The Rotary Club along with the City of Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department teamed up on Friday, Dec. 20 to install the first of the community benches in Pulsipher Park located on the trail system at 290 W. First South St. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

They are becoming the ‘places to be’ all around England, in communities and schools across the US and now in Mesquite. Where are these places you ask? They are anywhere the Mesquite Rotary has installed one of the many “Buddy Benches.” Virgin Valley Elementary School has two, Beaver Dam, Moapa, Overton, they each have one and now Pulsipher Park’s ‘Trailhead Park’ has one located at 290 W. First South St. The Rotary Club along with the City of Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department teamed up on Friday, Dec. 20 to install the first of the community benches. The bench is designed to help foster friendship among the community that uses the trail system for running, biking, walking or any leisure activity. The Pulsipher Park bench is one of several that are being planned for future installation along the existing 55-mile long trail system. Nick Montoya stated that Mesquite Parks and Recreation has plans to beautify and expand the current trail between Mesquite Blvd. and the Recreation Center. In the quarter mile stretch which is already paved, the Parks and Recreation workers will be installing new landscaping, shade structures, possible art projects and two benches.

Benches are provided by the Rotary Club of Mesquite along with Dr. Ann Rice and partner Jim Wilson’s “Project Get Smart with Education” grants. Dr. Rice and Wilson with the project have adopted 10 schools from Moapa, Overton, Logandale, Mesquite and Beaver Dam. Their project has placed Chrome books in every classroom from kindergarten to twelfth grade.

Dr. Rice, Wilson and the City of Mesquite are all Rotary Members doing good things for the community.

Keith Buchhalter is a long time Rotary member who has always been a champion of Mesquite. People view as a selfless individual, like all Rotary members, but Buchhalter doesn’t see it that way at all. Buchhalter says, “I’m actually a selfish individual. I’m working toward earning every one of those feathers so that when the day comes and I’m called upon, I can soar up with strong wings rather than crashing and burning.”

It’s groups like the Rotary Club of Mesquite and partnerships with other organizations like Project Get Smart and the City of Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department that keep Mesquite a community friendly city providing ‘Buddy Benches’ that keep our playgrounds and parks great places to meet and old or make a new friend.

The Rotary Club of Mesquite and other rotary clubs across the Virgin Valley area are always looking for people to serve and help give back to the community. Individuals interested in an avenue of service can reach out to Rotary AG Keith Buchhalter at (702)-427-6278 for more information on the Rotary Club of Mesquite.