MEMORIAL BENCH FOR NOEL DICKS

The newest memorial bench in downtown Arthur sits in front of the former Dicks’ home on Vine Street. Many of you know it as ‘The Pumpkin House.’ Noel, who was not only our town historian but a Past Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge from 2005-2007, passed away last year. In his memory, Illinois Past Grand Masters donated a bench to be placed in front of the house that he once lived in and that was owned by his parents, Kenneth and Mary Dicks. This was the house the family moved into when they moved to Arthur in the early 1940s. His widow, Iris, noted that they decided to place the bench under the redbud tree so people could stop and rest in the shade. Many may remember how much Noel enjoyed sitting on the other memorial benches in town to ‘watch the world go by,’ and to keep up with what was happening in the town he loved. He very much enjoyed the visits he shared with so many at those times so this bench appropriately reflects those times and the family hopes everyone will take a moment or two to sit and visit and remember Noel.