As the head cook for the Alberton School District, Connie Dove has announced that this will be her last year feeding the kids.

After 36 years, she’s ready to pass the spatula but easily admits that this job has been wonderful. 

“I started with a good program and have tried to keep it good with some improvements,” she said.  “Nutrition has changed. We track a lot more veggies now. I would say that overall, the requirements are healthier now than when I started." 

"I’ve seen a lot go by the window, whew!” she added with a laugh, referring to different administrators, teachers and of course students she has watched grow and mature into young people. 

Longevity with a job runs in her family as her dad worked for the pulp mill in Frenchtown for 42 years. 

“I’m happy. It works for me. It works for my life. You gotta have a job. I love to feed kids. That brings me great enjoyment, just feeding the kids," she said.

The kids she has fed have stretched over three generations. Some left and came back, but others stayed their entire lives in the Alberton area and raised their families and then that generation had children.

Josie Hayes-Johnson is one of those who grew up and graduated from Alberton. Hayes-Johnson is now a school therapist. 

“Gosh, over 30 years as a student and working at the school, I guess,” when asked how long she’s walked the halls. 

“One thing I will say about Connie that grabs everyone’s attention is when she holds Taco Tuesdays," Hayes-Johnson said. "The tacos are fabulous, of course, but on those days, she makes homemade maple bars that are killer!”

Michelle Sanders started in the kitchen last week and is working next to Connie. She moved from Oregon last year and knows she has big shoes to fill but is up for the challenge. Being the lunch lady is a position that many students have connected with in every school and have made differences in their lives. 

“I’m in a non-authoritarian position, so I can be friends,” Dove said. “Kind of be that soft spot to land. You can tell me your story and there’s nothing I can really do about it but I can listen and pat your back.”

Dove has a 17-acre farm that keeps her occupied and lives a modest lifestyle that isn’t going to change.  

“I’ve got enough quilting fabric to quilt until I’m 102,” she laughed. “I’m going to go around and see part of the things I’ve heard about all of my life. Places in eastern Montana. I’ve never been to Glacier Park. I’ve lived here my entire life and I’ve never been to Glacier Park. I want to go see Mount Rushmore. I want to go see a few places, but I’m not going to go crazy.” 

Being single with no children, she said, “These were my kids,” as she looks out at the cafeteria starting to fill up at 11:40 a.m. last Thursday morning. She plans on dropping in to see everyone once in a while and even subbing if and when needed in the kitchen.