WVU Jackson’s Mill Food Service Dept. Honored for ‘Excellence’ During Renovation

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To be archived (WVU JM) after Sept. 30, 2008

They had to stop working to receive their award of excellence and a standing ovation. But the 14 employees of WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp took the interruption in stride, which also is how they handled the months of inconvenience they endured as the Mill’s historic Mount Vernon Dining Hall was being renovated.  

During its recent annual awards luncheon in the dining hall, the West Virginia University Extension Service presented the Unit Excellence Award to the WVU Jackson’s Mill Food Service Department.

Honored for “creativity, flexibility and a job well-done” were Barbara Carson, Juanita Gaines, Ann Heater, Franklin Kelley, Teresa Kelley, Molly Lamb, Bernice Linger, Amanda Lunsford, Barbara Lunsford, Linda McCarty, Brenda Rowan, Jean Stump and Gary Woofter.

The luncheon guests also applauded the “new” dining hall.

After being the heart of the 525-acre Jackson Mill campus for 80 years, Mount Vernon Dining Hall had begun to show the effects of serving thousands of meals to thousands of campers and visitors each year. The WVU Extension Service, which operates WVU Jackson’s Mill, worked with VanNostrand Architects of Buckhannon to renovate the building in compliance with the National Register of Historic Places’ guidelines.

The dining hall closed in November 2006 and reopened in June 2007. During that time under trying circumstances, the food service workers prepared more than 15,230 meals for campers and visitors. 

The workers cooked in a small kitchen in Jackson Lodge and delivered meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner and meeting-break snacks—to various locations on campus in all types of weather. After moving back into the renovated building, they adjusted to more challenges: modern equipment and new procedures.

The food service employees continue to work around—and feed—construction crews, who now are completing the dining hall’s meeting and lodging accommodations. The improvements also include new systems for fire sprinklers, fire detection and alarm, and heating and cooling.

WVU Jackson’s Mill, the boyhood home of Civil War General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, is the site of the nation’s first state 4-H camp. Jackson’s Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

—WVU-ES—

fsm 11/07

Last modified November 15, 2007
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