Beech Tree News Network

I hate to admit it, but there are times when I have become so frustrated with not being able to find what I think I need when I think I need it in Morgantown, I say things like, “You can’t find anything in this town!”  Last week, I was reminded otherwise.
    A woman came into the office of New Image Car Care, where I work, and asked if someone could replace her headlight.
    “I need to pick up my grandson at 4:30,” she said, “If I need to come back later or make an appointment, I can do that.”  It was 4 pm.
    “Just a minute,” I said.  I yelled into the service bay, “Can somebody help with this headlight, please.  It needs to be replaced, and she needs to pick up her grandson in thirty minutes.”
    Two of our guys headed to the parking lot.
    “Do I need to pull the car in?” the woman asked.
    “No, they can do that right where the car sits,” I said.
    Fifteen minutes later, the car was ready to go.
    “I’m so glad I live in a small town,” the woman said.
    That statement made me think about the things you CAN find in this town. 
    You can find help in this town, even in a parking lot, and not just our parking lot.  If your car breaks down, there will be no fewer than five people ready with jumper cables or coolant or a towing chain or the number to the local garage, if you need it.  And the thing is, you don’t have to be a local in order to receive this kind of help.  The same is available for total strangers.
    You can find honor for military men and women in this town.  If you’ve never attended the annual Veteran’s Day celebration at the local high school, do yourself a favor next year and show up.  You will find the kind of recognition every person who ever served in the U.S. military deserves.  Children from grades Pre-K to graduating seniors participate in the program.  You’ll hear the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by the little ones, “America the Beautiful” performed by the high school choir, and rousing renditions of patriotic medleys by the high school and middle school bands.  Each veteran is recognized individually by name and branch of service. 
    On the courthouse grounds in Morgantown stands a wall of bricks.  On each brick, is the name of a service man or woman from Butler County.  Once again, it is individualized recognition and honor for each of those who served our country.  Yes, they were all part of something bigger than themselves, but they are also individuals—mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters and sons—and this town recognizes that.
    You can also find a lot of people who don’t mind their own business in this town.  They are people who are attuned to the pain and struggles of those around them.  On any given Sunday, at any church in the area, there will be mention of someone in need, and there will be people who step up to meet that need.  We even have a mission whose mission it is to help those who might otherwise escape notice and fall through the cracks.  There are people who organize fundraisers aimed at helping families who struggle under insurmountable medical bills.  Musicians donate their time and equipment, businesses and individuals donate their products and crafts, and food pours in from some of the best cooks in the country, and I do mean “country,” not just county.

So, in the coming days, I am going to make every effort to never again let the words “you can’t find anything in this town” come out of my mouth.  There are things you can’t find in this town, but the things you can find are far superior to anything you can find anywhere else.