 By ELLEN MORTENSEN
Chief Managing Editor
BREWSTER - - Starting a new job tends to make most people a little nervous. Now imagine your first day on your new job, and the tornado sirens begin sounding. You must drop what you are doing and assist with evacuating three floors of elderly residents to the designated tornado shelter. The lights flicker, the rain pounds and the wind howls.
The event is compounded by the fact that it is Halloween night. Tornado season is supposed to be over. But there you are, huddled in the hallway with 50 people you just met today.
This was Janet McBride’s first day of duty at Off Broadway Apartments. The Brewster resident drove nearly an hour to Broken Bow to begin her new job, and now finds herself wondering just what she got into.
From that day - Oct. 31, 2000 -to this one, McBride says she knew she was where she was meant to be. And apparently, she is not alone in that idea. The residents she serves, her co-workers and administrators all agree that McBride is a ray of sunshine in the facility. Lincoln’s 10-11 News agreed, and recognized McBride recently with one of their coveted “Sunshine Awards”.
Born and raised in Brewster, McBride still resides on the the place that belonged to her grandparents. Cooking just comes naturally to her, and is something she has enjoyed all her life.
She spent a few years cooking at Uncle Buck’s Lodge in Brewster, then went to work at Beverly Healthcare in Sargent in the kitchen, before coming to Off Broadway nearly eight years ago.
She works the week-end shift, which she prefers. That way, she says, she can be home to help her husband on the ranch during the week. Rather than drive back and forth each day, she rents a small apartment in town where she stays while here on the week-ends.
McBride beams as she talks about her job, and most importantly, the people she works with and for.
“My job is to serve - that is what I am here to do,” she smiles. “These people are like my family. You know, you cook and clean for your family because you enjoy it and love them. I do what I do because I enjoy it, and because I love them.”
One of her co-workers, Stephanie Myers, nominated McBride for the award a couple of months ago.
“I didn’t hear anything right away, so I just kind of forgot about it.” says McBride.
Then one day she received a notice in the mail announcing she had been recognized on television.
“I was pretty excited,” she laughs.
Off Broadway Administrator Jewel Shea shares in McBride’s excitement. “Janet is totally dependable and the residents love her,” says Shea. “We are lucky to have her here.”
“This is one of the best places I have ever worked,” says McBride. “I have really learned to enjoy life since I have been here.”
Speaking very humbly, McBride adds, “I want people to understand I did not win this award because of me. I am who I am because of all the people around me who have invested in my life.” |
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