Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its first luncheon of 2014 at the Butler County Extension Service office on Thursday, January 23.  Chamber President James Runion welcomed all who attended the dinner; the meal was sponsored by Morgantown Bank & Trust and catered by Green River Catering.

The guest speaker for the luncheon was a presentation by “Kids on the Block”. The puppeteers, Page Grainger and Amanda Guerra, performed an abbreviated skit concerning Child Abuse.
Executive Director David Cisneros shared the troupe’s mission. “ The mission of Kids on the Block is to provide on-going education and prevention through puppetry for children, in physical challenges, medical conditions, social issues and safety concerns.”
KOB uses the medium of Japanese Bunraku style puppetry to  bring children to the teachable moment. The life-size puppet has his or her own personality reflecting likes, dislikes, hopes, fears, talents, abilities and limitations.

According to Ashley Reynolds, Development Director,  KOB presented programs last year at Morgantown Elementary and North Butler Elementary.
"It is very important to me to see these programs in the Butler County Schools.  My mother, Gail Johnson Reynolds, taught here for years," said Reynolds. For more information  visit their website at www.kykob.org

The following introductions/ announcements were made during the luncheon:
Garry McKinney introduced Kevin Flener as the new Morgantown Mission Thift Store manager. 
Shirley Allen introduced the new MCRC Chaplain Derek Cain.

Boys & Girls Club director Bruce White introduced Nancy Ball, regional director for the Boys & Girls Club.  Ball shared her experiences with the club.
The Chamber welcomed several new faces to the board with Chad Bratcher, Roger Givens, Amanda Neighbors, Josh Givens, and Richie Ellis all joining the board this year. The new board members join Shirley Allen, Randall Gaskey, Roger Southerland and James Runion.