Dr. Milroy on a safari. Dr. Milroy in Italy. Radiant In Retirement vBy Aimee Huntley Doctors are some of the hardest working people, but even after being retired for almost two years, Dr. Mary Milroy is as busy as ever! Since her retirement in May of 2017, Dr. Milroy has fulfilled many of her life-long dreams. The first goal she accomplished was taking the Master Gardener course in the summer of 2017 accompanied by her husband, Dr. Dan Johnson. Fifty hours of volunteer work are required in addition to attending all the classes and passing a final exam. Dr. Milroy enthuses “It was a fantastic course, I learned so much. It was an opportunity to explore a field I’ve always been interested in, but never had time for.” Dr. Milroy shared that “Some people have difficulty finding ways to complete their volunteer hours, but in Yankton it’s so easy to do.” Dr. Milroy chose to become involved with the Seed Library which is hosted by the Yankton Community Library. This seed library is unique in that it’s the only one in South Dakota. The seed library has recently resumed in January 2019. It includes all types of people including members of the Missouri Valley Garden Club. This group meets the second Tuesday of most months and volunteers give two educational presentations on different plant related topics. This is completely free of charge and open to the public. Indoor 8vHERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2019 gardening was the January topic. Dr. Milroy shared information about water and plant nutrition. The seed library collaborates with the Federal Prison that provides many of the seeds. Free fruit, vegetable and flower seeds are available to the public through the program. “It’s a free service to encourage people to get involved in gardening.” Another volunteer project was with the Yankton Boys and Girls Club. Assisted by other Master Gardner volunteers, they taught the children how to plant, care for, and harvest vegetables from the onsite garden. In the fall the children learned how to use the produce to prepare healthy meals. They made zucchini bread and wraps, vegetable lasagna, and soup. “The kids even shared the food they prepared for the center’s evening meal, and felt so proud because they could tell their friends that they had made it themselves.” Dr. Milroy has shared her gardening knowledge beyond Yankton. When she was invited to visit the third and fourth graders at the Viborg Public school, Dr. Milroy taught the children about the beneficial Mason bees. Afterwards they did a project where everyone made Mason bee houses they could take home. Dr. Milroy has also travelled to Sioux Falls to do a presentation for a small garden club there on composting. This enthusiasm for gardening has spread to Dr. Milroy’s home as well. Big plans are in the works for changes in landscaping, new plants and trees around the family residence this spring. While growing her green thumb Dr. Milroy hasn’t completely cast off her physician’s gloves. In addition to fulfilling another goal of publishing a book to help other professionals in the health care field, she has also been very active educating physician assistant students enrolled in the Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls. In the fall Dr. Milroy participates with other doctors in teaching “The Art of Healing”. She also gives the breast lecture for the PA students every June. Dr. Milroy has served as the chair of the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition and also is the chair and on the steering committee, as well