Small town with big spirit

Contributed Photo
LITTLEST VOLUNTEER — Hannah May McGary, under the watchful eye of her father Matthew McGary, helped with the cleanup in Merrill Millstream Park in preparation for the town’s centennial in August.
Volunteers ready Merrill for centennial to remember
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    As volunteers put the finishing touches on Merrill Millstream Park for the town’s big centennial celebration coming up August 14-15, Town Manager Candy Nevers says there is still time to pitch in and help.
Volunteers needed Saturday
    A planting day is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 starting in the morning around 8 a.m. and winding down with a free barbecue and concert later on in the afternoon around 1 p.m.
    Supporters will be able to adopt or purchase a flowering tree or shrub for approximately $12-$25. The plantings will be in designated spots for different species including lilacs, flowering almond, maple, weeping willows, forsythia and flowering cherry. However, Nevers said anyone interested in having a shrub or tree planted, should notify her before Thursday, June 10.
    Donations of paper goods and food are still welcomed for the free barbecue. And, Randy Rockwell, a local recording artist, is contacting other performers to coordinate the gospel concert that day.
    So far, volunteers have put a lot of muscle and heart into getting the park ready for the centennial celebration. Nevers said they have donated equipment, money, gravel, loam and grass seed. The town is about six square miles with a population of about 250.
Contributed Photo
BREAK TIME — A group of volunteers relax during one of the cleanup days before Merrill’s centennial.
Centennial events
    And, according to the slate of activities, there will be lots to see and do in August when the centennial actually gets under way in the park with plenty of free events for children. “This celebration is really paying tribute to veterans and we owe them,” said Nevers, who added that the parade will have a group of grand marshals who are veterans.
    Support from the business community and local organizations was almost immediately forthcoming, she said, because after sending out letters, “good, responsible people want to be involved. I think people feel good about volunteering and doing service for these little events. If you want to help, give us a call at the town office — 757-8286.”