Lana Turner is retiring after 25 years as WIC nutritionist

Have I really been here that long? I know it is true when I have seen so many children grow from infancy to adulthood before my eyes, and then restart the process of establishing homes of their own. The miracle of life and growth and development is what has made each day of this job fresh and interesting, and something which I have not grown tired of.

I have actually always been a nutritionist at heart from the time that I was four years old and watching Betty Hayes demonstrate the preparation of recipes on our first black and white television set. I would stand in front of the TV at my play table, with my apron on, stirring my bowl of water, as I pretended to make something delicious and nutritious for the viewers. I remember thinking, "I am going to be just like Betty when I grow up!"

Eventually, I did grow up and got a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education with an emphasis in nutrition from Northwest Missouri State University. I taught Home Economics at Cameron High School for several years. Later, I started working for Amana, demonstrating the Amana Radarange, and conducting microwave cooking schools at North Missouri Home Furnishings Center, at a time when microwave cooking was just starting to dawn in popularity on the marketplace.

After my children were born and were nearing school-age, I started working part-time as a WIC nutritionist with the Clinton County Health Department and the following year Sherri Carder asked me to work in the same position in the Daviess County WIC program. During the next 25 years, I became part of the WIC programs in Ray County and Caldwell County, as well. I have found it to be a very fulfilling job to counsel clients on their concerns about providing good nutrition to their babies and children so that they can be healthy, and grow and develop to their potential.

One catch phrase of WIC has been, "WIC…for the food you need, when you need it most." Getting the proper nutrition to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and to infants and young children covers the times of the greatest nutritional needs for growth and development that people will ever go through in their lifetimes. Getting proper nutrition at these critical times can have a life-changing effect on a person’s health and potential for the future. These are reasons that WIC has been a great agency to work for.

Twenty-five years at one’s job goes fast when you are involved in a good work. Now that I have turned 60 years old, I have decided to cut my hours back a little so that I can have a more flexible schedule and spend more time with my family and my four beautiful grandchildren, but, I will see you around…hopefully enjoying the daily blessings that are often taken for granted. Just remember, if you have your health, food and shelter, and a good work to do, you are rich!