(Oakland) Today begins a two week series saluting some of the area’s most loyal fans. This week we plan to hear from fans of Riverside, Nodaway Valley, Harlan, Griswold, and Exira-EHK.
With 17 grandkids that have gone to school at Riverside, Bruce and Ruby Bentley’s ties to the school are hard for anyone to match. “You just get to be friends with the kid’s parents” Bruce says, “We are grandpa Bruce and Grandma Ruby to a lot of kids, besides our own.”
Between all the sports plus band, choir and other extra curricular activities, the Bentley’s have attended countless events. He remembers their loyalty dating all the way back to the 1970’s when Carson-Macedonia had some very good boys basketball teams. Their love for attending high school sports was so extreme they once loaded up their one week old daughter and took her along. Bruce is a big proponent of extracurricular activities and the academic benefits they bring. “I encourage kids to be involved because I think it makes them work harder in the classroom to make sure they’ll get to participate. I’m a big extracurricular supporter because of keeping kids inolved in stuff and not running around town getting in trouble.”
Bruce gives Griswold the nod for having the best popcorn, while Ruby points out Riverside’s hot dogs reign supreme. Ruby notes that win or lose, it’s always good to be there to support the kids. “Just the joy of seeing their success and being their for them they don’t win. You try and encourage them and tell them they did their best.”
With the coronavirus wiping out sporting activity over the last few months, they are itching to get back on the road. They’ll be especially invested in the Lady Dawg’s softball team this summer with granddaughters Gracie Bluml, Skye Bentley, Izzy Bluml, and Franee Maher all on the squad.
On Tuesday we will hear from Linda Hennigar, of Nodaway Valley. She and her husband Randy have missed only a couple of Nodaway Valley basketball games in over 20 years.
Bruce Bentley:
Ruby Bentley:
Bruce and Ruby’s grand children at Riverside
Brock Bentley, Skye Bentley, Rhett Bentley, Stacie Bentley, Coy Maher, Franee Maher, Tucker Bluml, Tatem Bluml, Gracie Bluml, Izzy Bluml, Bo Branan, Alice Branan, Jack Branan, Ella Hensley, Hayden Hensley, Taylor Schoening, and Cale Schoening
