Photos by Mechel Meek The Colorado State San Luis Valley Extension Office held an open house and retirement party on Friday, Dec. 10, for Mary Ellen Fleming and Maxine Lujan, two of people that worked for the extension for more than 35 years.

MONTE VISTA — The Colorado State San Luis Valley Extension Office held an open house and retirement party on Friday, Dec. 10, celebrating the service of Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science, Mary Ellen Fleming and Office Manager Maxine Lujan, who are both retiring after serving for over 35 years with the extension.

On a cold and blustery day, a warm party was held inside the San Luis Valley Extension Office in Monte Vista celebrating the achievements and thanking two integral employees. Cake was provided by a local 4-H member and was a big hit with the staff.

Many people from nearby communities came to the celebration and open house. The extension is a vital part of the farming community of the San Luis Valley.

CSU Extension has recognized Fleming many times for her work with the San Luis Valley community, serving the SLV since 1999.

“Fleming has made use of her bilingual skills to offer educational workshops in Spanish to the valley’s migrant population,” according to CSU Extension.

Lujan started at the SLV Extension office as the 4-H secretary in 1986 and was promoted to Office Manager in 2002. As the 4-H secretary and later the office manager she was a public face of SLV Extension.