Health Department Retirees Gather to Catch Up and Remember

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

A group of people who retired from the Garrett County Health Department came together at Uno Pizzeria and Grill in September to reminisce and catch up on each other’s current lives.

“I think it’s great,” said Shelby Paugh about the retiree luncheon. “I love to go to it because I get to see people I don’t see otherwise. I look forward to it. I get to see people that I hired, and there are a lot of new faces, too.”

The event was organized by a small committee of retirees including Kim Powell, Donna McClintock- Fost, Peggy Chappell, and Kathy Skipper with the goal of reaching out to as many retirees as possible.

“We brainstormed to see who we might have missed, and reached out through calls, Facebook, and word of mouth,” said Skipper. “I think that the 36 who attended had a great time, and we made sure to hold it on a Wednesday, since we all qualify for the senior discount.”

The basement of Unos was filled with laughter as each person introduced themselves and gave a little overview of their time with the Health Department. Each person added their own brand of humor to the day.

Rodney Glotfelty said, “It’s so good to come into a room where you know everyone!”

Bill Pope said he doesn’t like to use the word retired, because “I still go to lots of meetings, and I like to tell them what to do.” Someone piped up and said, “he’s not kidding,” which brought on more laughs.

The group mourned the recent loss of Jarlath Fizwater-Hight and told a few humorous stories about her.

Shelby Paugh was the attendee who had been retired the longest. She started working at the Health Department when she was 18 years old, right out of high school, and retired after 41 years, in 1996.

“I grew up with the health department because I started on June 27, 1955, when there were three nurses, two people in administration, one sanitarian, and one health officer,” Paugh said. She worked for a total of seven different health officers during her years of service, starting out as a typist and going on to become the Director of Administration.

“To see the health department grow from 7 people to what it is today was almost mindboggling,” Paugh said. When she retired, the Health Department was scattered around Oakland in 7 different buildings. She was happy to be re-hired as a part-time contract employee as the departments moved into their new building. “I was glad to come back and help bring everyone together under one roof.”

As you walk around the Oakland office, you can see some of Shelby Paugh’s decorating touch because she had a part in decorating the halls of the new building.

The next retiree luncheon will be planned for September 2024. Any Health Department retiree who wants to make sure they are on the luncheon committee’s list, including new retirees, may contact any committee member. It’s not necessary to reach out if you were contacted for this year’s luncheon unless you have new contact information.

Above is a picture taken at the Garrett County Health Department retiree luncheon in September. The five people pictured with Shelby Paugh were hired by her when she worked at the Health Department. Pictured seated in front is Cosette Harman. Standing from left to right are Karen Otto, Alice Vitez, Dorothee Bittinger, Paugh, and Dr. Bill Pope.