On Jan. 13, my wife Jocelyn, great nephew John and I attended a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Butler City Grand Ball Room. The event was promoted by a nonprofit group hopeful to restore the dilapidated Penn Theater. Many of our local businesses donated items, and baskets of goodies were donated to be auctioned to ensure the success of the event.

The food was good, but more importantly the attendance was remarkable. It was so very encouraging to see so many people interested in supporting this effort to improve our city.

Regardless of the amount of money raised, it was heartening to see people come together for an evening of charity and fellowship.

The co-founders of the nonprofit group, I was told, include Kenny Bonus, a Butler city council member who obviously takes seriously his political responsibility of working for his constituents. I have often believed that in many instances it's not only where you live, but how you live that fosters opportunities to create safe, vibrant, neighborly, neighborhoods. Obviously, Mr. Bonus, a local politician — and I apologize for categorizing him as such — ascribes to Paul's dialogue in 1 Corinthians 7:20, to “bloom where you are planted.” Not to denigrate any of our city's other elected representatives, because hopefully they are all working cooperatively for the betterment of the city, but in this endeavor, Councilman Bonus deserves a special commendation.

Published on Jan. 19, 2017.