Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Ferguson.
Hi Christine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was living in Virginia and started having great difficulty with respiratory allergies. I had been visiting a friend in Albany for a number of years and never had any problems so I decided to move here. I bought my house and moved in in December of 19. The gentleman across the street asked if I would like to help with his Cub Scout Pack, since I had been working with Sea Scouts it seemed a good idea. I was volunteering with them until March of 20 when we closed everything for Covid. When we told the kids that we would probably not meet for a long time. One of the kids asked if we would still have a Veterans Day Parade. I have never lived in a city with a Veterans Day Parade. I thought it would be a good way to meet people in my new home town. Col. Chris Reese was working on reverse parades and I helped a little with those and then showed up for the first meeting for the real parade and came out the person in charge.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest bump is that I have no experience with any event larger than my kids birthday parties. Learning about the parade and introducing myself into a new community was definitely a challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My first paycheck came when I was 8 years old picking potatoes in the Idaho potato fields, then I taught swimming lessons, then I went to nursing school and nursed for years. Then I stayed home and raised my kids while they were not yet in school. Then I worked for Leggs Pantyhose then Wrigley’s gum as area sales rep.
Then I developed a sleep disorder and went to school to be a registered Massage Therapist and was a Medical Therapist for 22 years. Then I was in a car accident and decided to retire.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Doing my best to bring a community together if only for one day to honor those who have given their all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linncountyveteransdayparade.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linncountyveteransdayparade
