Cathy Bonner, of Dry Fork, announces her retirement at Wednesday’s Tucker County Commission meeting. Bonner, who served as the secretary for the Tucker County Extension Service for nearly 42 years, will officially retire Feb. 29. Bonner is pictured with her daughter Beki and husband Dave.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – A local resident who is retiring following 42 years of dedicated work for the Tucker County Extension Service was honored Wednesday during the Tucker County Commission meeting. Cathy Bonner, who is officially retiring Feb. 29, is the secretary for the Tucker County Extension Service in Parsons. Bonner said she has enjoyed her work through the years.
“My time has encompassed 11 different Extension Agents and a host of different assistants,” Bonner said. “I supported the office in the work they accomplished.”
Bonner said the Extension Service is a four-program area that provides information and education to farmers and homemakers.
“We also provided the 4-H program to students and hosted a yearly 4-H Camp,” Bonner said. “We also have a lot to do with community development. We have worked over the years to educate and support all these different groups.”
Bonner said the most memorable moments over the last 42 years were those where she helped at Tucker County 4-H Camps.
“It’s been fantastic,” Bonner said.
She said she also really enjoyed working with the homemakers and helping to organize and bring forth a successful Tucker County Fair.
“The Tucker County Fair offers the 4-Hers the opportunity to showcase their exhibits,” Bonner said. “It’s great to see all of their animals. I mostly helped conduct the open exhibits. That is where folks brought in their garden vegetables, their canned goods and homemade items like quilts. I will be handing that over to someone else.”
Through the years, Bonner said she is grateful to all of the folks she could call upon to assist with judging the open exhibits.
“I appreciate that when I called them to come help, they would show up with bells on,” Bonner said. “The judges for that would come from other counties, then I would take our ladies and return the favor by going to surrounding county fairs and helping judge their exhibits.”
Bonner said when she retires, she and her husband Dave will be visiting other areas.
“My husband and I both love to travel,” Bonner said. “We will be taking a lot of tours, particularly out West. We will be going to Wyoming.”
Bonner said during her retirement, she will not be sitting home twiddling her thumbs.
“I will be involved in a lot of different activities because I love to be with people and to talk and interact with them,” Bonner said laughing. “I just do not foresee myself sitting at home. I will get involved in something.”
Bonner said she enjoyed working with everyone during the past 42 years.
“The people I have worked with have been awesome,” Bonner said. “Our Commissioners – Lowell Moore, Diane Hinkle and Patrick Darlington, along with Tucker County Clerk Sherry Simmons – have all been great.”
“The girls I have worked with in the office, as well as the agents, are special friends,” Bonner said. “They are friends that I cherish so much.”
