Free bus ride to Wal-Mart makes inaugural run

By Carrie A. Mizell

For several local senior citizens, Friday marked the first time in 50 years they had climbed aboard a school bus. Rather than grudgingly heading off to school, the seniors were bound for a one-hour shopping trip at Wal-Mart.
Norm Conti, who worked with the Gilchrist County Commissioners and the Gilchrist County School District to organize the senior citizens’ free bus ride, reported on Monday that all the seniors had a great morning socializing with one another, while making new friends and renewing old acquaintances.

Local senior citizens traveled by school bus to Wal-Mart on Friday.

The bus first picked up seniors at the Cruse Center, which is located on US 129 and then proceeded south to the Bell Club House for more pick-ups, before traveling on to the Trenton Senior Center and the Trenton Library to pick up additional riders.
“With 13 passengers, plus our driver, V.C. Cannon, we headed on to Wal-Mart in Chiefland,” Conti explained.
According to Conti, the seniors were given an hour and a half to shop at Wal-Mart before boarding the bus for the return trip home. He explained that the bus made it back to Trenton by 12:30 p.m. and after another 30 minutes, arrived at the Cruse Center by 1 p.m.
Each senior citizen was given a cloth bag filled with goodies to celebrate the inaugural trip. According to Conti, the next free bus ride will be on Friday, Aug. 6. Continue checking the Gilchrist County Journal, as well as flyers that will be placed around the county, to learn the bus schedule.
“We look forward to seeing you on the next bus ride!” Conti said.