If you’ve ever passed through the lobby of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, you’ve probably noticed receptionist Annie McCullough.
The outrageously decorated hats that sit atop McCullough’s head make her hard to miss. For 23 years, she’s been a fixture of the Forest Society, adding color to lobby with her warm smile, contagious laughter and, of course, her signature homemade caps, which are festooned with plastic flowers, feathers and glittery jewels.
When McCullough retires next month, the Forest Society will lose a good friend and a lot of pizzazz, her coworkers lamented last week.
“Her laugh was made for the large echoey space of the lobby,” writes colleague Bill Smith. “She is in a constant state of discombobulation, but that has never prevented her from keeping the phone calls and visitors in good order (well, almost never). Everybody who walks up to the desk gets Anne’s best, whether it is the governor or the homeless. I’ve seen her greet both.”
McCullough, who’s 68, said she’ll miss her coworkers and interacting with visitors but is looking forward to a relaxing summer. She plans to roll up her sleeves and jump in the garden, hang out with her granddaughter and spend lots of time swimming.
She offers one bit of advice to the next person who fills her spot: “When there’s free food, don’t stand in the way. And take what you want before you make the announcement.”