Reedsville Chamber president marks 100th episode by spotlighting community partnerships

Diane Sawyer, president and CEO of the Reedsville Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the origins and mission of her "News and Views" program on its 100th episode, crediting producer Roy Sawyers and local partners for helping the show grow into a community information channel. "Roy Sawyers's constant support and push allowed me to do this show and to bring this to the community," Sawyer said, describing the show as a vehicle that "brings so much important information to our community."

Sawyer said the goal from the start was to tell the chamber's story, strengthen ties with the city and celebrate local wins, not just airroutine promotional pieces. She noted the program grew out of her prior experience in public-health education and early TV segments and that early guests such as Heather Adams helped shape the format. "At the time, Heather Adams was a very strong executive director for the Rockingham County Partnership for Children," Sawyer said, explaining why Adams was her first guest.

The episode named a set of community partners and projects that gave the program a permanent home, including Home Trust (which took naming rights for the chamber lobby), Annie Penn Hospital and successive mayors. Sawyer detailed how a coalition of downtown merchants, the chamber and city council members worked with a consultant to secure a physical visitor center at 140 South Gales Street that has since served as a focal point for downtown activity.

Sawyer acknowledged criticism that a business-oriented forum sometimes included religious content, and she defended the choice by noting religious nonprofits are chamber members and that the show's mission includes telling their stories. "We have nonprofits as members and that includes faith organizations," she said, stressing that such groups are part of the community narrative the chamber aims to reflect.

Looking ahead, Sawyer said the program aims to maintain consistency and expand its reach, including broader TV distribution and continuing to use the show to connect residents to local leaders. "Trust comes from consistency," she said, describing the show as a consistent channel for civic updates and a place where citizens can ask questions and get directed to the right local resource.

The episode closed with thanks to production partners and a reminder that the chamber remains an association of more than 400 member businesses and organizations that serve thousands of employees regionally.