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A day of tricks and treats for Extension staff
3:34 p.m., Nov. 2, 2006--There was much speculation at University of Delaware Cooperative Extension when a mandatory meeting was scheduled for each county office on Oct. 31. All part- and full-time staff members were asked to attend to learn about the future direction of Extension. But instead of PowerPoint presentations regarding projects and plans, staffers encountered a good witch (aka Janice Seitz, director of UD Cooperative Extension) and a medieval lady (Alice Moore, administrative assistant to Seitz). In the spirit of Halloween, Seitz played a light-hearted trick on her staff, capped off by a treat--a party in each county office, featuring refreshments and goodies. But before the fun could begin, there was just one detail to take care of--staffers were told they had 20 minutes to make a costume out of materials in their offices. (No running out to the local costume shop or home to one's closet was allowed.) The New Castle County staff showed a lot of ingenuity, even when faced with the challenge of being creative bright and early, at 8:30 a.m. 4-H youth development staff probably had it the easiest--many have curriculum materials that can be turned into a costume in a pinch. For example, Doris Behnke, 4-H educator, quickly became the “4-H Scarecrow,” thanks to left-over scarecrow-making supplies in her office. But staffers like Clara Simpers, coordinator for the New Castle office, only have files, folders and similar paraphernalia in their work spaces. Faced with a ticking clock, Simpers covered herself with a cloth, hopped on the table and became a tablecloth. Her colleague, secretary Sandy Peralta grabbed a compost bin, which are sold at all county offices. “It was all Clara's idea to make me a compost bin,” Peralta said. “And I didn't last long in there,” she added. “Those things get hot.” Kent County staffers showed equal measures of creativity. Doug Crouse, county director, was the “Wizard of 4-H,” complete with flowing cape and towering cap. Judy Kling, staff assistant, shimmied way down into an oversized sweatshirt, held a jack o' lantern in her hand and became the “headless 4-Her.” Kathleen Splane, a family and consumer science educator, spends countless hours touting the benefits of the USDA's food pyramid. But the pyramid she appeared to be promoting at Tuesday's party looked suspiciously like candy corn. In Sussex County, Sydney Riggi, Extension associate, won the “most creative” award for her portrayal of “the backseat of an Extension employee's car.” Riggi plastered herself with name tags, wadded-up paper, booklets and all the other flotsam and jetsam that can accumulate in a busy person's car. The busy schedules of Extension professionals and staffers are precisely why Jan Seitz created these special trick or treat meetings. “Everyone in UD Cooperative Extension works tremendously hard to meet the needs of the thousands of Delawareans who turn to us for programs, services and support,” Seitz said. “I wanted to give my folks a small reward, and a small thank you, for all their hard work throughout the year.” Article by Margo McDonough |
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