Head Start honored Rines

Twenty-five years ago this week, a local woman was being honored for her nearly 30 years in service to children.

The July 17, 1995, issue of The Commercial Review featured a story about the retirement party for Lois Rines, who was stepping away after spending 29 years with the Head Start program in Portland.

“It was a wonderful experience, said Rines, 85, who retired as a social service parent involvement specialist.

Rines was one of the pioneers of the Portland program in 1966. Her main duty was to find children in Jay, Adams, Blackford, Wells and Randolph counties who could benefit from Head Start, a government-backed program for lower-income families that brought social workers and teachers together with parents and children in a classroom setting.

About 50 friends gathered for Rines’ retirement celebration at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portland.

“She went door-to-door a lot,” said Decatur Head Start teacher Phyllis Mahlan, referencing the tenacity Rines showed in drawing children to the program. “She made the visits in all kinds of neighborhoods, I tell you.”

One of the well-wishers at the party was Lisa Turley, 27, who had worked with Rines. Their meetings together involved topics such as child development, family counseling, child behavior, nutrition and first aid.

“She told us that she thought of us as her children and if we ever need anything to just give her a call,” said Turley. “She’d be right there.

“I think she’s an incredible woman.”