ExploRIII 2014 Volume 2 | Page 6

6 BETTER VALUE • BETTER SERVICE BETTER HEALTHCARE NOT JUST OUR MOTTO BUT OUR PROMISE TO YOU! Benefits of our Local Independent Pharmacies Who Were Fredrick Gilmer Bonfils THE BONFILS? Bonfils. It’s a word heard often in the Lincoln County R-III and Troy community. In fact, residents usually don’t have to follow the word Bonfils with auditorium. Bonfils Auditorium is a facility nestled in the heart of Troy that has provided the community with decades of entertainment and performances. Have you ever wondered how the revered auditorium received its' name? Since the late 1920s the Lincoln County R-III Schools and community have utilized Bonfils Auditorium for a variety of programs such as choir and band concerts, plays and musicals and even basketball games and gym classes! In the 1850s, Eugene and Henrietta Bonfils lived in the Troy community and had six children. Frederick G. Bonfils was one of those six children. Ranking high in his class at the Troy Public Schools, Frederick attended West Point in 1878. There, he met his future wife Belle at a military ball a few years later. In 1895, Bonfils met businessman Harry Tammen from Chicago. Tammen wanted to buy The Evening Post; the newspaper had been going downhill. The duo purchased the newspaper and changed the name to The Denver Post. In 1929, Bonfils donated money for the auditorium to the schools to honor his parents Eugene and Henrietta. A short four years later, Frederick died at the age of 72. He was survived by his wife Belle and their two daughters May and Helen. Belle died a mere two years after her husband. The Bonfils’ daughter Helen then became the chairman of the board for The Denver Post. Later, Helen donated money to make major repairs to Bonfils Auditorium and a cafeteria for the Troy schools. Today, Bonfils Auditorium is in use on a daily basis. The award-winning student choirs and renowned high school and middle school bands host classes and performances in the facility. The drama departments, both at middle and high schools, produce spring and fall productions performed on the stage of Bonfils Auditorium. New Horizons High School also utilizes the auditorium annually for their graduation ceremony. Throughout the years, many start-up churches have used the auditorium for Sunday morning services. One family’s philanthropy has provided our community with 85 years of entertainment, performances, services and parents beaming with pride. Source~ Lincoln County Journal, “Charlie’s Thoughts for the Week” by Charles R. Williams √ GENERICS FROM $1 A WEEK* www.medicineshoppe.com Must be enrolled in our discount program. #10 Centerline Dr., Troy 636-462-7005 See pharmacy for details. √ PROMPT SERVICE √ DIRECT ACCESS TO YOUR PHARMACIST √ √ √ Most prescriptions filled in 15 minutes or less! FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF 573-898-2550 866-ELSBERRY (357-2377) 106A Broadway, Elsberry www.elsberryrx.com EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE FREE LOCAL DELIVERY! WE =8