Jane Mason began her talk letting us know that her goal would be to clear-up two misconceptions:
- I'm a native of Lebanon
- I work for CRREL
Where has Jane Lived?
Jane filled us in on her journey to Lebanon as she is not a native of the Upper Valley (she is a flatlander). She was born in a hospital in Ayer, MA. Her parents were living in Harvard MA. So her early years were in Harvard. Then her parents moved to Mansfield, CT, then on to Cohoes, NH, followed by Cropseyville, NY, Delmar, NY, Lyme, NH, Lebanon, NH, then back to Connecticut, then back to Lebanon. Lebanon and the Upper Valley is a place everyone in her family likes/liked and why she wanted to stay in the Upper Valley. She has lived on Poverty Lane, near Ernst's home, then Maple Street, then off to Enfield for her Senior year at High School, though she was able to stay at Lebanon High School. Then it was off to college (Oberlin) before purchasing a manufactured home at Hannah's MHP, then to Bank Street (a Mike Wein's apartment), then to her current home in Laro Street in Lebanon.
Jane and Her Family
- Her mother, Marilyn died 5 years ago. She share a lovely picture of her parents. [Aside: I found this picture of her mother online. I think she looks a lot like Jane. I have no pictures of Jane, camera shy, so decided to include her Mom's picture]
- Her Dad, Carlton "PETE" Mason (not Peter Mason the Physician in Lebanon). Pete provided Jane's first connection to Rotary. Jane's dad was a Boy Scout Field Officer, the Executive Director for the United Way of the Upper Valley (1971), He started and owned, Colonial Locksmith. His time in Rotary (40 years) started when he was living in Mansfield, MA. He then became a member of the New London Rotary Club, and then became a member of the Lebanon Club. He was an avid member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. He is now 94 years old, and is very active & continues to cook, clean (which Jane appreciates). He loves to travel, with Switzerland and the Matterhorn being one of his favorite destinations.
- Jane has two brothers (both Rotarians). Jim is a telephone service technician, and EMT and involved in Boy Scouts. Rick is a former fire captain in Lebanon. He is the retired Director of NH Fire Standards, Training, and EMS. He spoke to our club in 2019. He is a Rotarain.
- Jane then shared pictures of her extending family including her father's 9 great grandchildren.
Education
- Jane was part of an advanced studies program at St. Paul's where she hated but pasted physics.
- She graduated from Lebanon High School
- She was recruited to go to Oberlin College where she majored in mathematics and classical studies.
Her Interests:
- She plays French horn
- Her hobbies are reading, watching TV, writing, computer games and puzzles. astronomy, learning about ancient civilizations, genetic genealogy, and sipping on wine and bloody Mary's.
Her Road to Rotary
- Her father always seemed a little happier, and dressed a little nicer on Thursday. Jane quickly learned that this was Rotary Day. He always looked forward to his Rotary meeting. She was always included in Rotary "fun stuff" like club picnics. She remembers an early faux pas when the announced at a Rotary gathering that she couldn't wait to be a Rotarian....This was prior to women being permitted to be Rotarians. Her Mom took her aside and let her know that she couldn't be a Rotarian, and she was heartbroken. This didn't keep her away from Rotary work. She helped at the Auctions that were held annually, and was named an honorary member in 1993. She officially became a member in 1995. She served as club president in 2001/2022 and as an AG from 2004 to 2007.
So does she work for CRREL? You can decide...
In the summers between her years in college, she worked as and engineering aid and math aide at CRREL. She remembers working on a Missouri River Project, and on a project about the acoustical properties of ice.
Upon graduation from college she became the first computer programmer at CRRELL. She became discouraged with the job and the leadership at CRREL, and decided to resign.
After 7.5 year of what she described as "not a great time". She migrated back to CRREL and took a temporary position as a technical writer/editor in 1995. (This was during at time when there was a hiring freeze at CRREl...thus the reason for a temporary position.
Before long, she was able to be hired as an Information Specialist and she learned about video production...this was the start of a formal career in the government. She then went on to explain that there have been bumps in the road during her tenure at CRREL. At one point the 4 main laboratories in the US were consolidated (expense reduction?), but somehow this then morphed in 7 laboratories being formed. She became a part of the Information Technology Lab that is based in Vickesburg, VA. She had to reapply for a position. She applied for 20 jobs that needed to be refilled. She was hired as graphics person. She described that the first year wasn't so great...again partially the result on not having a "great" boss. She was then asked to be a web specialist. She did some supervisory work which she did not enjoy. She has joined a Application Development Team...messy at the start but now good stuff.
Jane shared that she hopes to retire in 2024.
At the end of the talk, Phil Bush shared that working with Jane's father, Pete, was great experience. He provided solid leadership during his tenure at the United Way of the Upper Valley.