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Helen Drinkard retires from Extension Service
Family, friends and co-workers gathered in the assembly room in the courthouse basement Thursday afternoon to extend well wishes and reminisce as the honoree prepared to finish the final days of her many years of employment with the ACES. Also on hand were personnel from Auburn University, Dr. and Mrs. Ray Rice and many others from around the area also employed with ACES. "I grew up in 4-H at Leroy High School and 4-H is a part of what the Extension System is about," the Leroy native said. "W. Hugh Garris at the Employment Office in Jackson told me when I graduated from Leroy that if I would get some technical training, he would see that I got a job as soon as I finished school. I took his advice and went to Mobile to trade school, came home and went to work at Kinman's Store in Jackson at first. Then, in 1963, I got on with the ASCS in Chatom. I was an Agricultural Conservation Program Clerk. I worked there until 1966 when I decided to go home and start raising a family.
"When I returned in 1979 Fred Kilgore was the County Coordinator, Sara Alexander was the Home Agent, Joe Ann Arthur was a 4-H agent and T.J. Breland was a 4-H Agent. Our offices at that time were upstairs in the annex building to the courthouse. Later we moved over to our present quarters in the basement of the courthouse. A lot of people have come in and out of my life during these 28 years and I learned something from each one of them. I have loved my work and I love the people of Clarke County."
Most of her family was present to help her enjoy the festivities Thursday including her husband, Donald Drinkard, to whom she was married in April 2003. They attend Springfield Methodist Protestant Church in Sandflat where they live. "Donald and I are going to do some traveling and just enjoy visiting family and friends," she said. During the afternoon Mrs. Drinkard was presented many gifts. Her co-workers at the Clarke County Extension Office presented her with a framed tribute and a silver tray with the initial "D" engraved. The Clarke County Cattlemen's Association gave her a plaque of appreciation and a check for her assistance to them. She received many other gifts including flowers, plants and cards during the afternoon.
On a personal note from this writer, a member of the Board of Registrars, Helen has been a key member of the "Basement Courthouse Gang" and we are going to miss her quick smile, ready laugh and the way she keeps the money straight and leads the way with planning when we have our monthly basement luncheons and birthdays. She has been a "spark plug" of enthusiasm every since I have known her and she will be missed.
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