Beech Tree News Network

The antique store on Hwy 231 is now called the J. Marshall and Judi Hughes building after a naming ceremony Thursday morning.

The Boys and Girls Club of Butler County organized the event to honor J. Marshall and Judi Hughes who donated the building, and much of the money for the remodeling and refurbishment.

According to board member Bruce White the building and tracts of land donated by the Hugheses was appraised at around 90 thousand dollars when it was donated to the club. “They donated the building and have been there for us all through the remodeling whenever we’ve needed more funds,” said White.

White, along with several Boys and Girls Club board members and local dignitaries were on hand at the dedication ceremony on Thursday. State Representative CB Embry Jr. told the crowd that he had been friends with Mr. Hughes since their first day at WKU in the 1960’s. Embry said he sat next to Hughes and noticed that they have the exact same birthday, prompting the men to become fast friends. Embry said that he has always been proud of what Hughes has accomplished as both an attorney and as a man.

Hughes brought greetings to the crowd from Davis Cross Roads, where he owns property, and was also quick to give much of the credit for the building’s remodeling to Terry Fugate, and his Butler County Jail work crew.

“Whenever we asked Terry if we could do something he would look around and then he would usually tell us he thought we could do that,” said Hughes. Hughes also apologized to Fugate saying, “We’re helping to keep these kids out of trouble, and I’m sorry, Terry, but we hope we’re going to take away some of your business at the jail.”

Stan England, director of the local Boys and Girls Club, told the crowd that the Hugheses are not only friends to the club and the county, but also to him personally. He was quick to praise the eagerness the Hugheses have toward helping the Boys and Girls Club in their adopted second home county.

The building will be used by the club for meetings and other gatherings, and is available for rental for local groups and individuals. The building was constructed in the 1950’s by Harold Wiley for his wife Edra Dean McKinney Wiley. Edra Dean Wiley had an antique shop in the building until her death in the 1960s. The building fell into disrepair after that. According to Bruce White the building was little more than a concrete floors with rock walls when the Hugheses donated the structure to the Club. “I asked Terry Fugate if we could do anything with it. He told me it had a concrete floor and rock walls, so we had a good starting point.”

White became emotional talking about both his role with the club and the work provided by the Butler County Jail Work Crew on the building. “Those guys took a great deal of pride in this work, and that was good to see.”

To rent the building interested parties should contact Christine Coleman at 526-4604.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News/WLBQ

Photos Courtesy of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers