Fair Memories: Two Former Technicians Reflect on Work at MMCD

At the Washington County Fair, our current staff caught up with two former MMCD technicians:

Within the seven counties of the District, the summer is full of fairs. Thousands of people come across MMCD’s fair booths every summer, learning more about mosquito control and disease prevention. For some, it is a booth that brings back memories of past summers that created lifelong memories. 

Tom and Paula Ovre both worked as technicians for over a decade - Tom for eleven, and Paula for seventeen. It was a job that kept their summers active and engaging: “it was such a different job, I wanted to try something that was outdoors, getting away from the office indoors” says Paula. 

Tom then began as a technician later, “Paula was still working there when I was working as a carpenter, I thought ‘this seems like a good job for retirees,’ I could work in the summers and still relax in the winter, so I began once I retired.”

Tom at his truck in 2020.

“It's a good workout, you work at your own pace, you have a lot of freedom but a lot of responsibility,” says Paula. Tom added: “Having responsibility, but independence worked very well for me, educating people was also fulfilling, whether it's out on the field or here at the fair.” Not only did they learn more about mosquito control, but they also watched as MMCD re-structured mosquito control to include more larvae treatment. 

“We used to spray more parks and residential properties, with the potential impacts that has on pollinators, we need to do our part as stewards to protect these pollinators to the best of our ability,” says Tom. “Backing away from adult-treatment is a good step in protecting pollinators, not to mention larval treatment is much more effective, you get a lot more bang for your buck.” 

Tom and Paula began to learn more about the environments they were working in, “I love plants” Says Paula, “I liked to get out to the field and learn the plants around the area. It’s good to be aware of your environment, the places they put you in are very beautiful.” What Tom remembers is the wildlife that’s rarely seen by the public: “Embrace the wildlife around you, there’s so much in these sites that people are not aware of. You’ll see deer, mink, otters, eagles, racoons, sandhill cranes, turtles, everyday!” 

MMCD not only left a lasting legacy in Tom’s mind, but he could also give back to the Oakdale facility, using his carpentry skills, “I was able to do some projects in the shop that are used to this day, you might’ve noticed the spice rack, the exhaust fan for testing, and the permethrin pumps in the back, those were things I built.” 

Tom and Paula have some advice for people just beginning as technicians: “Watch the sites you’re walking into, otherwise you’re gonna take a bath” said Tom while laughing, “There’s two things that happen to first year technicians: they get stuck and they get lost.”  Paula added: “Learn as much as you can, learn your bugs, especially mosquitoes.”

Written by Public Affairs Assistant Martin Hendrickson

Tom was featured on the MMCD website in 2020. Check it out!

Come see MMCD at the Minnesota State Fair!

Our las big event of the summer begins next week with our booth in the Dairy Building at the Minnesota State Fair. Check us out to learn about the current mosquito and tick season, tips for controlling pests in your yard, a kids table with lots of interaction, and fun MMCD staff!