April 21, 2011 - Leonard resident Mauridell Bennett was ecstatic to return home last Friday after a nine-month stay at the hospital and rehab following a stroke in mid-2010. Many businesses joined in welcoming her back to downtown, organizing a mini-parade of sorts, complete with a police escort across the red bricks. Businesses and the art classes had welcome home posters on almost every downtown business and the employees of most of them, such as Leonard Pharmacy (pictured bottom right), came out to wave atn the woman of the hour. After passing by, her vehicle pulled in front of a place on the square to which Bennett has devoted much of her time - The Leonard Historical Museum. Friends and family gathered there - including Gayle Deel, Susie Deel, Nell Hollis and Patsy Grimes (pictured top right) - to hug her neck, shake her hand and say "Welcome home!" - Betsy Blevins staff photos