Butler County Extension Council’s annual dinner thanks community partners

The Butler County Extension Council’s annual dinner was a time to say “thank you” to community partners, reflect on the benefits the council and extension provide and swear in the new council members and officers.

Extension, a part of the University of Missouri, held the event Tuesday at the First Baptist Church.

Jennifer Williams described the dinner as “a special opportunity for extension to show our appreciation for all the hard work, support and sacrifice given by our council members and volunteers, as well as their families.”

Williams is an extension engagement specialist serving multiple counties including Butler.

Among those receiving accolades were Dr. John Blaich and retired Col. Doug Rose Jr. They were both named to Leader’s Honor Roll.

Keith Shelton, who is in charge of the local 4-H shooting sports program, presented Blaich’s honor. The various 4-H clubs in the county have approximately 1,000 members.

When Shelton was seeking a shooting range for students, Blaich welcomed them by saying “come and use our facility.”

Shelton described the Blaich family’s facility as “one of the best in Butler County.”

He said Blaich has provided “tremendous support of our 4-H program. Thank you for doing this.”

Blaich practices with his brother, Dr. Rick Blaich, as well as other family members.

In introducing Rose, Williams said, she appreciates he “is still thinking about extension.”

Rose is beginning his second term as council president.

Also honored was retiring council member Kathryn Clark, who is instructor/coordinator of agriculture and forestry programs at Three Rivers College.

Rose also presented Clark with a certificate naming her as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel.

Among the community partners honored were Butler County commissioners Vince Lampe, Dennis Legrand and Don Anderson; Three Rivers College President Dr. Wes Payne; Butler County 4-H clubs and leaders; Farm Credit of Southeast Missouri; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation; Poplar Bluff Master Gardeners; and Wheatley School.

Newly elected council members are Leann L. Clark, Tammy Harper, Judy Lunsford, Melissa Stephens and Rose. An appointed member is Murice Theriot.

Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center at 614 Lindsay Avenue and for planning programs with the faculty and staff in Butler County.

Leann Clark is director of workforce development at Three Rivers College. She is a board member of the Butler County Community Resource Council, chairperson of the Parents Working Committee, member of the South-Central East Nexus and member of numerous committees and lead on several through the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

Harper is employed at the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority, where she has established and expanded several community activities for housing residents and the surrounding neighborhood.

Lunsford is vice president of the Ozark Border Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. She has worked for Aldi Foods for 20 years.

Stephens is a medical laboratory technician. She is a member of Osborn General Baptist Church in Qulin, a member of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution and a 4-H parent for two consecutive years.

Rose is a retired colonel and is the former NORAD and United States northern command director, military support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rose currently serves as the civilian agency’s client account manager for Pond & Company.

He is active in Lions Club International, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shriners International, Scottish and York Rite Masonic Bodies and Christian Military Fellowship Ministries.