Dear Friends,
One of the highlights for me in recent months has been the opportunity to attend a variety of UTIA Retirees Association gatherings across the state. From Jackson and Lutts in the Western Area to Milton in the Central Area and Cosby and Dandridge in the Eastern Area—and also Lynchburg—retirees and family members and friends have come together to reminisce and fellowship and eat good food (a lot of delicious food!). It makes me thankful for many things in life, especially those pioneers who founded the forerunner of this organization fifty years ago. They realized that being employed by UTIA was not only a profession but also a calling that made us part of a unique “family.” Our roles included education, research, and service and the relationships with both colleagues and clientele enriched our lives. In reading the answers to the survey that I have been conducting all year, it has become obvious that these relationships with people were a foundation to success in our professional and personal lives.
Today I would like to share a story that illustrates the importance of these relationships. It was written by Ken Goddard in answer to the survey question: I will never forget the time that _______. Ken thinks this happened about 1978.
“During a statewide, three-day Forestry Inservice Training, four Extension agent teams were to determine marketing and management strategies for a timber track. Three of our teams were very serious, studying management techniques we were taught and developing our best management plan possible. The fourth team—John Caldwell, Decon Jones, Jimmy Lloyd, Richard Swaim (and perhaps others)—announced the true harmony of their group as they reviewed the study manuals. They uncovered their guitars and entertained the group with folk songs. The forestry specialists joined in with glee.
“A stressful assignment for the younger agents was quickly converted to smiles and enjoyment by those county leaders who seemed to make things better by their mere presence.”
This story reminds me how fortunate I was during my career to be surrounded by special people, starting with my co-workers in Sequatchie County—Mack Steele, Jim Grove, and Inez Campbell. They were all decades older than me when I went to work as a twenty-three-year-old novice. They supported me, treated me as an equal, and became friends for life.
At this season of the year let us all remember to be thankful for not only the people in our lives but also for faith and kindness and grace. Blessings to you one and all.
Ruth
Ruth Henderson McQueen