How time flies by. One minute we are beginning our careers, and before you know it, it's time to make the transition to a life of leisure. Sleeping late, spending time with family, traveling. All things that Carole Toubakaris, Family Living Educator with Penn State Cooperative Extension in Butler County, is looking forward to.

March 31 will mark the end of Carole's career with Penn State and the beginning of a new phase in her life: Retirement!

For more than 22 years, Carole has provided educational programs on a variety of topics and issues of importance to the family. Most recently, her program emphasis has focused on family resource management, child care and development, and environmental issues in the home to residents of Butler and Beaver counties.

Of course, we can't forget her ability to handle any number of questions from clientele on a day-to-day basis. Her dedication to Cooperative Extension and our clientele will always be remembered.

To help Carole celebrate this next step in her life, we will be holding an open house reception at the Butler County Extension Office, Building 10, Sunnyview Home, from 2 to 6 p.m. April 3. The public is invited to stop by and visit with Carole and to wish her well on her transition to retirement.

To honor her years of service, the extension office staff would like to present Carole with a scrapbook of memories for her to enjoy. Cards, letters, photos, newspaper clippings, cards and other items suitable for a scrapbook are being accepted toward this effort.

Individuals who have participated in Carole's programs over the years are invited to submit items to the Butler County Extension Office. An informal presentation of the scrapbook is planned for 3 p.m. as part of the open house celebration.

Submissions may be dropped off at the extension office by March 31 or mailed to Penn State Cooperative Extension, Retirement Celebration, 101 Motor Pool Way, Butler, PA 16001.

Please join us as we offer Carole Toubakaris our sincerest thanks for a job well done and our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Home complex.