David Higgins, director of the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties, and former employee Molly Smith react after Higgins opens a T-shirt Smith gave him as a gag gift during his retirement reception Thursday evening. Higgins, who has led the two-county social service agency for the past 131⁄2 years, is retiring May 14 and Tammy Nicholl, who has been working alongside him for most of that time, will take over as the new director. He came to the local board with more than 20 years of service after having headed mental health services for active military personnel on major installations throughout the Midwest with the government contractor, APS Healthcare. In his time at the two-county district, Higgins said he has enjoyed seeing the Recovery Zone grow, helping increase the available housing for individuals with mental health or substance abuse disorders, and the community collaboration that has made it possible. (EXAMINER PHOTO | REUBEN MEES)