By Emily Williams

Kay Nix, manager of John Kyle State Park, was honored with a reception in the park lodge on August 26 in recognition of her participation with the Experience Works program which employs senior citizens.

Nix has been named “Employer of the Year” for Panola, Lafayette and Yalobusha counties, according to Wilma Hentz of Batesville, employment training assistant for Experience Works.

Nix has consistently used the U.S. Department of Labor’s program to hire older workers at the park, Hentz said.

Hentz said she admires the way Nix “goes out of her way to show concern and compassion for seniors in the area and for the entire staff.”

Currently employed at the park are Lydia Spain, 56, who works in housekeeping, and Robert Davis, 62, who is employed in maintenance.

Nix said Spain and Davis are the most dedicated and dependable workers she’s ever encountered.

The reception will also honored the Experience Works “Business of the Year,” On Call Staffing, a medical staffing business owned by Lee Garner of Batesville.

Senior citizen employees at On Call are Mildred Duncan, 83, and James Lewis, 59.

“They are the hardest workers I’ve ever met. I wish more were like them,” said Jimmy Covington of On Call.

“If anything needs to be done, James steps up and does it,” Covington said.

“Ms. Duncan is the best thing that has ever happened to this organization,” he added.