8/31/2009
TIM UNRUH
ABILENE — Starting today, Ann Smith’s culinary repertoire will be drastically reduced.
“Take-out, frozen and eating out. Those are the three food groups once you retire,” she said.
After preparing up to 114 meals a day — an average of 81 a day in recent months — Smith has had enough of feeding large groups.
Monday was the end of her 27 years as the cook at the Dickinson County Jail.
“I told the grocery store, ‘If you see me coming with three carts of groceries, send me back,’ ” Smith said.
She was honored Thursday with a reception and a plaque. Friends and family, law enforcement personnel and elected officials gave Smith a send-off.
“She’s a very good, honorable woman,” said Lt. Kathy Winingham, the jail supervisor.
“We think Annie is great, and hope she has a happy retirement,” said Lorraine Geist, secretary at the sheriff’s office.
Monday night’s final meal — referred to by colleagues as her “last supper” at the jail — was prepared by Pizza Hut, with a salad, vegetable and dessert from Smith’s kitchen.


Read more about the jail cook in Tuesday's Salina Journal.