Park benches unveiled in honor of Shaffer at 3rd Music Jam

Twelve elegant black benches, newly installed along the perimeter of Centennial Park, were unveiled Saturday in honor of the late Frank “Buck” Shaffer at the third annual Fabulous Music Jam.

With the sounds of the Fabulous Studio Band in the background, each new bench was uncovered and its sponsor announced by members of the “Time Marches On” committee sponsoring the event.

One of the community sponsors, Victor Cruz, who donated a bench in the name his family, said he was inspired to do so by his fond memories of Shaffer.

Cruz called Shaffer a “great man ... great teacher and great musician.”

He recalled the three times Shaffer played with his musical group, the Victor Cruz Orchestra.

Each bench has a gold nameplate in the center emblazoned with the name of the sponsor. The nameplates are framed on either side by four music notes.

Felipe Martinez, a member of the “Time Marches On” committee, said the Fabulous Music Jam is intended to tie in with the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

“‘Buck’ was not only a music lover, but also a patriot,” he said.

Martinez said the Fabulous Music Jam events are on the way to “becoming one of the main attractions in the community.”

The funds raised are used for scholarships for local music students to ensure they can afford band trips.

In addition to music performances, the event included a car and bike show, vendors and art.

Though the original twelve benches were sold to sponsors before they knew what they would look like, their unveiling spurred a rash of new sponsors who pledged to support additional benches.

According to Martinez, Porterville resident Judy Hayes was the seventh person to request a bench by midday on Saturday.

Hayes said she decided to sponsor the bench in memory of her husband, a well-known doctor.

“I thought it would be a good way to commemorate him,” she said.

Hayes said sponsoring a bench in Porterville would also allow her to “leave a little piece of my daughter here as well.”

Her daughter, Jerika Hayes, is the Fabulous Studio Band pianist.

Hayes called the benches’ design “perfect.”

“The [music] notes on the back of them ... tell the story,” she said.

Martinez said he plans to request that the city council place matching benches down Main Street and turn them into iconic items, much like the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“We’re known for music and bands, so what better way to tie in our history than a bench that depicts music,” Martinez said.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.