Farewell to the belle

After 27 years, Louisiana native and Sparta resident Carol Harris retires from Sussex County social services, By Russ Crespolini The wind battered the outside of Francesca’s in Sparta last Friday, as an unseasonably warm storm caused a ruckus on the roads and the surrounding area. But it all paled in comparison to the ruckus being made in the basement of the building, as nearly one hundred friends, family and co-workers gathered to say goodbye to Sussex County human service specialist Carol Harris. Harris, attending the event with her husband, Lee, Harris bid farewell to a 27-year career helping others in Sussex County. After a short cocktail hour, friends and coworkers treated Harris to a roast. Nothing was out of bounds as they went after everything from her southern accent to her love of farms and farm animals. Even her boss, director Jeff Daly got in on the act, reading a list of southern expressions he found on Wikepedia. But Daly also touched upon the level of service Harris gave to the county and to her clients over the years. “We can’t decide how much money gets handed out to those who walk in the door,” Daly said. “But we can control the manner and quality in which the service is delivered. And Carol Harris has done an exemplary job.” After dining, Harris was presented with gifts from her Union and the retirement committee, before leading the charge out on the dance floor. “My favorite thing about the job was meeting all the people. Meeting the clients, getting to know them,” said Harris, who many coworkers said always took time out of her day to ask about them and their families. “It was new and exciting with each and every one. That is what kept me there all of those years.” But it is also easy for Harris to point out what she won’t miss about the job. “What I hated most about the job was the clients. Meeting some of them that weren’t as fun to deal with as others,” the Louisiana native said. “That was hard.” Leaving after almost three decades will not be easy for Harris, who leaves behind a close knit group of friends. “I think I am going to miss all the fabulous people I work with most. They are a fantastic group of people,” Harris said. “They really are more like family than they are coworkers.” That is not to say Harris doesn’t plan to keep busy. She already has a very full schedule planned for her retirement. “I plan to lay in bed and eat bon-bons and rest,” the retiree said. “I plan to watch a lot of TV all day long.