Andrew Leary wrote to Phillip Kimble
 
 Is there anyone here or am I disconnected 
You made it here, so I'd say you're connected.
Yeah! I am with the kool kids!!
This functionality has been in MBSE for a LONG time.  Check out the sample  menus that are included with MBSE; several of them make use of it.
What I was trying to do was inject the ansi bbs control codes into the menu prompts. If that makes sense. I think it is EleBBS & maybe a few others that have this ability. Its been a long time since I set MBSEBBS from scratch. My hat off to the team, nice improvements over the years.
      
The ^ in the display line switches between the normal color and highlight  color; it can be used as many times as you wish on each display line.
I eventually read the new 1.1.0 manual & found it under the Global Menus. Answering my own question, it doesnt do exactly what I wanted but close enough to work. 
 
You can, of course, also create an ANSI screen of your menu if you so  desire.
I think I have them all created now. Its a good starting point. Thank you!
    Ciao!
     Geezer < aka phiL >
      Sysop Geezer's Fido Hub
    
--- MBSE BBS v1.1.0 (Linux-x86_64)
 * Origin: Geezer's Fido Hub :: mbse.gzrbbs.net :: Lerino, IT (2:333/801)