The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Vickie Hodgson will be in the office at the Columbia County Health Department only four days in September: the 12th through the 15th. She will then move out of the health department, where she has worked for the last 38 years, and into retirement.

Hodgson has worn many hats at the health department: as the Women Infant and Children's coordinator, health educator, and tobacco coordinator for the Department of Health. She also sits on the board for the Coalition for Youth and Families.

"It's been rewarding working with my clients and being able to help with referrals to doctors, dentists, pediatricians - being available and knowing where the services they need are," Hodgson said.

"I've seen so many generations of families – seeing a child and saying I know who your mom and dad are, and watching them blossom, grow and thrive," Hodgson added.

Hodgson doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She is looking forward to being of service in other capacities in retirement.

"I'm a huge believer in community service," Hodgson said. "I can't imagine not being involved with community and neighbors."

Hodgson said she will be moving into her Badger Lake house, near Spokane, and then she will move to Spokane, to be closer to her son, Andrew, his wife Emily, and their 15-month-old son Cameron, who live in Post Falls.

Hodgson said her initial plans are to work on the lake house, and spend time with the family. She will be taking Cameron to the Oregon Zoo and visiting with her daughter Mindy, and her husband Tygh Gianella in Woodburn, Ore., she said.

"I feel fortunate to have lived here," Hodgson said. "I have made special bonds with the community. I'm looking forward to my new life and challenges, and working with new people," she added.