Betty Hussey’s husband was planning to play hooky from work at the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center in Brundidge on Friday. Hussey said she wouldn’t go to the center either. She would stay home and they could go fishing.

Frank Hussey didn’t want to go fishing and said he didn’t. So she went on to the nutrition center.

What her husband knew that she didn’t know was that she was going to receive a special recognition at the center and he wanted to be there to congratulate her.

Much to her surprise, Betty Hussey was recognized at the center’s volunteer of the month.

Wanda Vinson, the center’s new director, said Betty Hussey has become her right-hand helper.

“Betty stepped right in and helped me learn the ropes,” Vinson said. “She didn’t think twice about offering her assistance and advice. Things have moved very smoothly during the transition to a new director and Betty is a lot of the reason.”

Vinson said Hussey doesn’t have to ask what needs to be done. She recognizes a need and she takes care of it.

“Betty has given me advice on the new programs that I have initiated and those I want to initiate.” Vinson said. “Sometimes she agrees and sometimes she doesn’t. But I always respect her point of view.”

Hussey’s assistance and advice have made Vinson’s transition into the director’s job much smoother.

“I’ve really depended on Betty and I really appreciate her,” she said.

Frank Hussey drives the bus and delivers lunches to about 25 Brundidge residents who are unable to go to the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center. Betty Hussey arrives at the center around 7:30 a.m., helps prepare the meals for the participants at the center and then goes with her husband and helps him deliver the meals.

Hussey said she had no idea that she was going to be recognized as the volunteer of the month.

“This is a real honor and I appreciate it,” she said. “I don’t do anything special. I just try to help out what I can. I love coming to the nutrition center and I love all of the people here. This is a very special place and I am thankful that we have a place like this.”

Hussey said being an early bird at the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center isn’t a chore.

“I get up looking forward to coming,” she said. “I help get things going and then I go with Frank to deliver the meals. That’s special to me because it means a lot to them.”

When the Husseys return to the nutrition center, they are usually too late to get in on a domino game or some other table game.

Hussey said she is excited about the new programs that Vinson has implemented and those on the drawing board.

“On Fridays, we have a movie and popcorn and everybody enjoys that,” she said. “It’s different and it’s fun. We have a lot planned that any senior would enjoy and we are looking forward to having new people join us.”

For information about the programs at the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center, call the center at 735-3539 or Brundidge City Hall at 735-2385. The nutrition center is located just off North Main Street in Brundidge across from the post office.