They had stories to tell, and folks who would appreciate them this past weekend. Around 75 persons, with more than half former employees, gathered for a reunion of former workers at the UMWA Hospital, in West Frankfort. The reunion was held at the Aquatics Center, at the park.
Kim Stubblefield, one of the organizers, tells franklincounty-news.com that this may have been the first such reunion, but it could be an annual tradition.
“We got the word out mostly by social media,and still got an impressive attendance,” said Stubblefield.
One of the highlights was the surprise appearance of former hospital director Bill Palmer who mingled with the guests and exchanged stories with old acquaintances and their families. Each person seemed to have their own story to tell, with each mention of a name or two bringing nods and smiles.
One of the plans of the former workers is to have some sort of commemorative rock, or monument where the former hospital once stood. The more modern portion of the structure is now gone. The original wooden building which served as the first hospital still stands, but is to be demolished.
Recently, the city of West Frankfort purchased the land to develope and / or resell. Mayor Tom Jordan said he believes that it would be a prime site for medical concerns as it is across from a doctors clinic and two pharmacies.
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