The Superior Express -

After more than 31 years, Elaine Watson is retiring from her job as the City Clerk of Formoso. Her first day on the job was in October of 1988. The job was different those years ago! The biggest difference - paper. Everything was paper in 1988. Ledgers, reportsand minutes of meetings. Now, little is paper.

During those 31 years, Watson has missed only two of the hundreds of City Council Meetings. But now, "it is just time" to retire.

Not time to be completely retired. She will keep her morning job with the Formoso Post Office. So, though not a city employee any longer, she will still have the opportunity to see and visit with the 100 or so citizens she has gotten to know as city clerk. Elaine is sure with the Post Office job she won't be "out of the loop."

But what will she do with her afternoons? "Garden!" was the quick response. She and her husband of 47 years, Bob Watson, have long had a garden.

Bob is "essential" to the project. He built the light shelf on which plants are already growing, getting ready to transplant into the garden. One goal is to grow and can enough green beans and tomatoes for themselves, their three children and five grandchildren.

She also has plants in the house, including African Violets. According to Elaine, "They really aren't that picky." Along with gardening and house plants, cooking and crocheting are the things she enjoys doing.

Her final day was to have been Jan. 31st but Elaine will be staying on during February to train the next city clerk, Jul Cleveland of Webber. Lavernia Peters, Formoso mayor is "just glad she is going to do another month!"

Wednesday, Feb. 5, Formoso and Elaine Watson celebrated her retirement with cake, refreshments, laughter and conversation.