As I sit here writing this news column, this is the end of an era. What I am I talking about...well, starting on Monday, September 24, the Meadowlark Extension District Office at Oskaloosa will be moving out of the courthouse and into our new location at 100 East Washington in Oskaloosa. I would add that our emails and phone numbers will remain the same the only thing that is changing is where we are physically located.

While the thought of moving to a new location is exciting, it also is a little bittersweet as we have been going through old files and reflecting on the many, many programs, events and activities that have occurred while being located in the courthouse.

I came to Jefferson County in 1985 and at that time we didn’t even have computers. In fact, I didn’t have computers in college–now that’s old! At that time, we used to hand-write out all our newsletters and news columns. I am still apologizing to our office professional, who was Betty Barnes at that time, for reading and making sense of all those scribbles!!!

While we are on the subject of Betty, one story I remember from our son, Derek, who was young enough to be in a car seat at that time, as we were driving by the courthouse he said, “look mom there’s Betty house as he pointed at the courthouse!” Yes, at times it may have seemed like we as employees “lived” at the office, it has been and will remain a “special” time and place for our office to be located.

What is more special is the many, many families, volunteers and youth that I have had the pleasure to work with over the past 33 years. Thinking back what has been more special is getting to know people on a personal level, along with their families, children and often extended family members through various extension connections. It has been wonderful for them to come in our office and share their “joys” and, yes, some “sorrows” within their families, children or even in their communities. We hope that will still continue at our “new” location. Nothing is changing other than where we will physically be housed.

So please, stop by our “new” office and stay in touch! Yes, some change is good and some can be bittersweet, but we still are here to serve the Meadowlark District in the same way that we always have. With this change comes more space and visibility to better serve all of you!

We will look forward to see you all soon and I guess I need to get busy and finish packing up more files. Our new office will be located at the corner of Highway 59 and 16, where the doctor’s office was located. We would also like to thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we transition to our new location. We will be in the process of moving the week of September 24 thought September 28 and closed to the public on September 27 and 28. We will be open again on Monday, October 1.

So it maybe the end of an era, but the beginning of a “new” time with many exciting extension programs and events to come! See you all soon!