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| Thee Baker embraces the moment |
mcatoe@thelancasternews.com
More than 50 Heath Springs residents and town officials took time Tuesday to thank retiring town clerk Thee Baker for 15 years of service and friendship.
Baker, 62, a self-described introvert and Ohio native, did not think the position was a good fit for her when she started out in 1998, but it was a job she grew to love.
"I got the job through Phillips Staffing and didn't think I wanted to do this for long," Baker said Tuesday afternoon just before the retirement party. "I'm shy and I hated answering the phone.
"I got over that," she said, laughing.
So much so that she sometimes called elderly residents to remind them to pay their water bill.
"There is a great bunch of people here in Heath Springs," Baker said, scanning the smiling faces at the train depot during her drop-in.
Resisting the hoopla, Baker said, "I'd rather this just be a quiet thing and not a big to-do."
But the town and her successor, Donna Langley, made sure to send Baker off with a catered party, complete with appetizers and a cake.
Grateful residents dropped by to celebrate her service, give her a hug, and wish her a happy retirement. They brought gifts, lingered, shared memories and asked for assurance that she would stay in touch.
Baker served 15 years in two stints, beginning in 1998. After three years, she took five years off to care for her mother.
Baker credits Mayor Ann Taylor with solid training two decades ago.
"I've enjoyed working with her, and it's been nice only having one mayor to work for," she said. "She taught me everything I know."
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| Langley, Catoe, Baker |
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| Mayor Taylor and Baker |
Town Administrator Tony Starnes said he could run any situation by Baker and she could fill him in with the details about homes and who lived there. He said she knew everyone's problems because they would come in to talk to her.
"She knows everybody and pretty much everything," said Starnes.
Resident Barbara Massey handed Baker a greeting card and a small green plant.
"These are clippings from my plants at home, and I thought you would enjoy it," Massey said, smiling.
Baker immediately turned the greeting card over as if looking for something. She found it.
"You always put stickers on your water-bill payment," Baker said as she hugged Massey.
Council member Iva Drakeford said she will miss Baker very much.
"I would not have missed this," Drakeford said.
Heath Springs maintenance official Will Catoe stopped in with his wife,
Joe Ann. Pizzeria owner Billy Myers and his wife, Linda, came in for a
few minutes.
To Baker's surprise, her husband, Gene, showed up for the festivities. He took off work to be there. And right behind him were her sisters, Connie Miller from North Carolina and Gaylean Sawyer from Pennslyvania.
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| Miller, Sawyer, Baker, Gene Baker |
Councilman Mark Bridges said the town is happy for Baker, but sad for the citizens.
"We will miss Thee for sure," Bridges said.
Catherine Huggins said she will miss Baker's "lovely smile."
Hugh McSweaney, who moved to Heath Springs from Belize about five years ago, said Baker was his "go to" person as he became accustomed to living here.
"Whenever I had a question and needed an answer, I would go to her," McSweaney said.
Baker is looking forward to learning to quilt, spending time with her flowers and enjoying some "me time." The first thing on her agenda is a week at the beach with her sisters.
Landscaping fix
The council took action on its recent landscaping woes with a price tag of $2,700.
The shrubs around town hall became diseased and had to be removed. Poison ivy was found growing in the shrubs and also was removed. The money will pay for 40 new shrubs, new dirt to fill the holes, and pine straw. The crepe myrtles were healthy and will remain.
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN orcontact her at (803) 283-1152.
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