MERF continues to support Valley Head students by making hands-on, real-world learning possible. This fall, MERF helped send Valley Head FFA officers to the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis — one of the largest student leadership gatherings in the » Read More
This year’s slide into autumn finds us preparing to move back into the MERF House, keeping the gears turning, and looking ahead to what’s next. The art program at Valley Head School is running strong, with Sherryl Lewis carrying MERF’s mission » Read More
Things have been full steam ahead at MERF! From planning fall programming and writing grants to coordinating Senior Lunches and overseeing the restoration of the MERF House, we’ve been busy behind the scenes. We’re so grateful to all the helping hands » Read More
As the first hints of fall touch the trees and Mentone trades summer haze for crisp mornings, there’s a familiar shift in the air. This change in seasons often brings a slower rhythm, a moment to pause and reset. At MERF, » Read More
As summer winds down and the cicadas hum their late-season song, August brings with it that familiar mix of anticipation and excitement. School is just around the corner, and across our community, teachers are diving into the hustle of preparing for » Read More
This spring, as I watched my son play barefoot in puddles, hike muddy trails with wide eyes, and laugh with friends as they played in the rain (an ungodly amount this year and surely record-breaking), I was reminded of just how » Read More
After returning from a trip to Northern Virginia to celebrate the 91st birthday of my grandfather — who, impressively, seems to be getting even wittier with age — it was a joy to come back to the peace of the » Read More
Happy spring everyone! I don’t know about you, but when the sun is out, I feel happy all around. I love this time of year, because it is full of rejuvenation and growth for all living things. The recent Valley Head » Read More
This is my first month to greet you as executive director of MERF, and I couldn’t be more excited. My upbringing in Mentone blessed me in ways I carried with me through years of living away, and I am honored to » Read More
One definition of the word art is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Art likewise » Read More