Palouse honors late community member

PALOUSE - The Palouse Arts Council and Palouse community gathered to celebrate the late founding member of the Arts Council, Margo Wekenman, with a bench dedication at 10 a.m. on Main Street in the park next to Swale on Saturday, June 24, .

President of the Arts Council Shandra Bohn stated that Wekenman was one of their founding members when they formed as a group in November, 2003, and there when they received their non-profit certification from the state in 2004.

Bohn explained that Wekenman was one of 25 members that initially made up the Council's founding members, and together they were co-chairs of the Palouse Art Walk from its inception in 2005.

Since the Art Walk was important to them, Bohn felt that Wekenman must be recognized.

"Margo was very well-loved by the community," Bohn shared.

Wekenman spent a lot of time out walking her dog, Bohn reminisced, adding that meeting new community members and the town of Palouse as a whole was a passion of Wekenman's.

Most of Wekenman's family lived scattered everywhere, but she loved Palouse.

Bohn explained that while Wekenman's brothers constantly tried to get her to move to Boise, she loved the community too much to leave.

"We loved her too," Bohn said.

The bench, which states its dedication to Margo Wekenman, is made entirely of recycled products from Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls.

According to Bohn, recycling was also a passion of Wekenman's

"She was always gathering different products for some of her friends who are artists," Bohn added.

After the reveal of the bench, they played Wekenman's favorite song, "Bat out of Hell," by Meatloaf.

Bohn shared that this was Wekenman's go-to song when they'd hit a wall after working hours setting up the Palouse Art Walk.

"It would pep us up to work better," Bohn laughed, adding that it was well known by Wekenman's family that it was her favorite song.

"A large amount of Wekenman's family was there, not only her Palouse community family," Bohn shared, noting that it highlighted and showcased everybody's love for Wekenman.

Bohn added that many people were looking forward to sitting on the bench, having a cup of coffee with friends, and watching the cars go by-one of Wekenman's favorite things to do.

Pictures of Wekenman and her memorial are on the Palouse Art Council website.