I love the Durham-Middlefield Transfer Station for many reasons. I go with unwanted stuff; I get rid of it there and feel a sense of accomplishment. I feel strongly about recycling; the arrangement of the site makes this easy and convenient. I like meeting new people; there is always a friendly face or someone sharing a grumble or grin about the weather.

Last Monday, I found a new reason to love the dump.

The guys who work there, Dave, Bob, John, and Bill are the most incredibly kind, patient, helpful people on the planet. Stupidly, as I dumped a container of paper/cardboard into the bin, everything got caught on my lanyard, ripping my smart key off and into the bin where it sank into the layers of cardboard. I had no way to get home, this one "not so smart" (and incredibly expensive to replace) key being the only way to get my Prius started that I have left!

Thirty minutes later -- me in near hysteria and the guys calmly sifting by hand and then using machinery to go carefully through the recycled products -- the device was located and handed to me. I was SO grateful! When I went back today to thank everyone (after removing my lanyard so nothing that wasn't supposed to go overboard could this time!), I got kind of an "Aw shucks" response from everyone. Total selfless humility: "Just doing our job, ma'am," and "Glad everything worked out." One even told me stories of engagement rings, etc., that they'd had to find for other hapless folks -- not to brag but to make me feel better that I wasn't the only one in the area who challenged them!

I truly wish that EVERYONE in public service could take a lesson from these guys. They are the best and I want everyone in Durham and Middlefield to know how fortunate we are -- not just to have an ecologically sound and convenient transfer station, but to have one staffed by such a conscientious and really nice crew.

Thanks again, gentlemen! It's a privilege to be served by you.