“Those days are behind us”

“Those days are behind us” is a phrase I often hear regarding bygone deeds and exploits. Age and time continue to move forward, but reflecting on the past can be extremely healthy — especially when the musings honor persons or provide a foundation for future endeavors. Betty Parker’s recent retirement from the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation (VTF) allows me to do both. She is a great person who deserves to be recognized and her services to the industry provide a foundation for that association’s future.

Betty was one of the first persons I met when I joined the Turfgrass Council. Brook, her husband, and I had worked on joint endeavors during the 1990s but Betty and I never crossed paths until my first Board of Directors meeting. She was there representing the VTF. Her knowledge of the industry, its multiple facets and its people was impressive. She seemed to know everyone and she was always current on their jobs, their families and their health.

Betty always went the extra mile to promote the industry and to raise funds for turfgrass research. She traveled to an obscure Chesapeake warehouse to pick up corn hole boards that were going to be used to raise funds for the VTF. She got her truck stuck in snow at our first M-A-T-E (thank you Shawn Askew for leading the rescue team!) She made multiple trips to Richmond to meet with VDACS and other state officials to champion the cause of turfgrass. All endeavors were done with a smile and “we can do this” attitude.

Brook retired a few years ago. Betty frequently shared great stories of his new found love: chickens. Those birds have become a fascination and share a cherished spot on the retirement homestead. While Betty tolerates the chickens, I imagine she will focus on spoiling her grandchildren. The Virginia Turfgrass Foundation has a new manager and it is building on the foundation Betty laid. Read about the new VTF in this issue of the Journal.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

VTC Executive Director

Tom Tracy, Ph.D., VTC Executive Director