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Bath extension agent honored
Edito's note: The following article was gleaned from the July 5, 1973 edition of The Recorder. Joseph C. Pritchard was publisher.
BOLAR - "Really, I'm overwhelmed." That's how M.L. Dalton reacted to a testimonial dinner given in his honor last Friday night to mark his retirement as Bath County extension agent after exactly 20 years in the post.
Mr. Dalton, who is seldom at a loss for words, found himself momentarily speechless. "I don't reckon I have much to say," he told the 59 persons attended the dinner at the Bolar Ruritan Hall.
"I appreciate you all coming and breaking bread here tonight."
However, he soon recovered and was back in form. "There have been three times I've realized how many friends I have in Bath County," Mr. Dalton commented. "Twice when I was in the hospital and here tonight."
He told his well-wishers, mostly county officials and people with whom he has worked over the years, that "one reason I came to Bath County was because it is mountainous and most of the farming centers on beef cattle and sheep. I knew there wouldn't be any of that tobacco that worried me in Henry County," where Mr. Dalton served as extension agent before coming to Bath.
Mr. Dalton came to Bath County as extension agent - they called them county agents back then - on June 30, 1953. Exactly 20 years to the day later, he retired from the post. In those 20 years, Mr. Dalton has come to be known as one of the county's most tiresome civic workers.
John M. Trimble, Mr. Dalton's successor as extension agent, reviewed many of his activities and praised him as "one of the greatest promoters Bath County has."
Mr. Trimble noted that when Mr. Dalton first came to Bath, he revived and "spent a tremendous amount of time and effort on the Bath County Fair at Bacova" and "as a result of his efforts, many youngsters were able to enjoy the fair."
He further stated that Mr. Dalton was "instrumental in pioneering the calf sales that have brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to farmers in Bath and Highland counties over the years" and cited his "great efforts in pioneering" the Mountain Grove-Williamsville telephone system that brought telephone service to many rural areas of the county. "He traveled through the county and realized the dire need of rural people for telephone service," Mr. Trimble said.
Mr. Trimble also said that in Mr. Dalton's three years as president of the Bath County Chamber of Commerce, "we've heard him speak many times of 'Beautiful Bath.'"
At the close of the dinner, Mr. Dalton was presented with an engraved watch by his secretary for 19 years, Mrs. Martha C. Berry, on behalf of those present. Gerard E. Jacques, district forest ranger, then presented him with a Smokey the Bear pen holder.
Mr. Dalton made it clear that he still plans to be active in civic affairs in the county. "I'm looking forward to still seeing and working with you all," he told those present.
On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Dalton and his wife, Ruth, were honored by the county's Extension Homemakers and 4-H clubs at a reception at Bath County High School. About 75 persons attended.
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