SALEM TOWNSHIP — A longtime SAD 58 board member was honored at his last meeting Thursday.

Mike Pond of Strong sat on the board when he lived in Avon, and ran for a seat when he moved to Strong, so he figured he’s served 17 years.

“Mike and I go back a long way,” board Chairwoman Judy Dill told the audience. She related a story about convincing Pond, who was not a fan of student field trips, to go as a chaperon to the Agricultural Education Day at the Farmington Fair in September.

“I assigned Mike a very energetic little boy,” she said.

Pond walked with him through the exhibits, and they eventually arrived at the applesauce and cider exhibit. The little boy joined the others making the applesauce while Pond watched. Suddenly, the youngster turned and began wiping his applesauce-smeared hands on Pond’s trouser legs.

“Don’t do that,” Pond said. “Why are you doing that?”

Without hesitating, the little boy replied, “I have to wipe them on your pants, because my mother told me not to get my pants dirty today.”

After the laughter and applause, Pond had a chance to share his thoughts, including his concerns about the future of children who have few employment opportunities if they stay in the area. Students could learn to be truck drivers or carpenters, but those skills are taught outside the district today.

“It saddens me that we think that everyone has to go to college,” he said.

“But it is what it is.”