Beech Tree News Network

Beech Tree News is proud to be part of the Kentucky Press Association Fall Chapter Series, Outstanding In His Field, which begins this week and continues for 10 weeks.  Beech Tree News has given out over 500 scrapbooks to students at Morgantown Elementary and North Butler Elementary. A new chapter will be provided online each week for students to use to compile their own book. Written by Leigh Anne Florence and illustrated by Chris Ware. This year’s Kentucky literacy project teaches students about Kentucky agriculture. Read this weekly chapter story with Woody and Chloe as they learn that food in Kentucky doesn’t just come from the grocery store.

Chapter 1

“Dogwood, what have you done?” Dad asked as he cleaned green beans off the ceiling fan while Mom wiped mashed potatoes out of my sister Chloe’s hair. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I said after swallowing some baked chicken, “but when Chloe said ‘food fight,’ I had to throw something.”
“Food fight?” Mom, Dad and Chloe questioned simultaneously.
“Yes, sir,” I repeated.
“I didn’t say ‘food fight,’” my sister said sweetly.

Obviously the mashed potatoes had clouded Chloe’s judgment.

“I said ‘gesundheit,’” Chloe added as Mom and Dad stifled a laugh.

“You sneezed so I said, ‘gesundheit.’ It’s the German word for ‘good health’,” Chloe explained.
 Since Mom and I began writing books ten years ago, our family spends hours at schools across Kentucky, sharing my books, my story and my motto: Anything is possible, but you have to work and dream like a big dog! Apparently, while I was checking out the cafeteria, Chloe was learning German. I’d never heard the word zoontite, but Chloe was using it in a sentence!

“I’m sorry, Chloe,” I said, certain she would forgive me. “At least it’s just food – and thankfully it was mashed potatoes instead of ribs!”

Then Dad asked, “Woody, do you have any idea where food comes from?”
“From Grover’s Supermarket,” I answered, surprised Dad didn’t know.
Dad smiled, excused himself, and made a phone call. We tried to listen as Dad spoke but heard only “Woody,” “food,” “clueless.”
Was I going to be in the doghouse? Mom and Dad always said our actions have consequences, but Dad knew I had made an honest mistake and had accepted my apology. Chloe and I and my other canine brothers and sisters were fortunate to have parents who loved us – and travel with us as we go around the state encouraging others.
“When you finish dinner and chores, meet Mom and me in the car,” Dad said. Chloe and I wondered whether to be excited or scared.
 “Hi Mr. G,” Chloe and I said as we arrived at Grover’s Supermarket.
“I hear you think food comes from my store,” Mr. G said, smiling.

***

Go to www.kypress.com to hear Woody read each chapter and try the interactive chapter activities. Thanks to Kentucky Utilities/LG&E, Kentucky Office for Adventure Tourism, Kentucky Press Association and Newspaper in Education for helping to make this statewide literacy project possible.