On Jan. 20, Dale Wooton, plant manager of Great Plains Manufacturing in Ellsworth, celebrated not only his 65th birthday, but his retirement from Great Plains after 27 years of service.

“It was a target I set years ago,” Wooton said.

Wooton, a 1974 graduate of Ellsworth High School, coached Little Leage and American Legion baseball in Ellsworth for several years.

Now that he is retired, Wooton plans to help his son, Shay, and his brother-in-law, Mitch Gebhardt, with custom harvesting. Wooton also plans to travel with his wife, Ginger, who is also retired.

Lee McMillan succeeded Wooton as Ellsworth plant manager.