Falling Forward at MERF

By Alyce Kenney

As October arrives, it is thought that summer is officially over. School kids and their teachers are settled in their new daily routines. Football season is in full swing. A favorite sweater has found its way out of the drawer. The holiday season is inching closer. Change is in the air as the leaves turn their green coats into splashes of gold, orange, and red. Fall is about change, and change can most definitely be good.

As you read in last month’s edition of “The Groundhog,” MERF is in the midst of change. As we transition to a new logo, new website, new roles, and new plans, we remind ourselves of why we do what we do and why it matters. We have renewed focus on our refined objectives of rural education and community development. Our presence is on the rise, and our purpose invigorated.

One of MERF’s resolute tasks is providing scholarships to exceptional students at Valley Head High School. This season, we will be in conversations with the teachers there as they begin to identify students in their senior year who exemplify the qualities of leadership, academic success, service, and more. We will also support them as we are able as they create their “wish lists” for student learning opportunities in the way of science and art field trips and in-school assemblies. In spring, MERF offers a “mock interview” session for students to practice their confidence and communication skills as they prepare for future academic and/or job opportunities. Last month, during a community event, a former student came to the MERF tent and acknowledged that they benefited from the interview experience and are now successfully employed. This message was heartwarming to hear and further strengthened our commitment to provide educational opportunities for our local students.

MERF is also deeply committed to our other seniors. “Lunch and Learn” at Moon Lake Baptist Church has resumed. Each Wednesday in October, our gracious volunteers will help serve a meal provided by a local business or church group to our beloved community members who hold the history of Mentone in their stories and memories. There will be some interesting educational topics shared — from health, art, music, and more. We are always happy to have more volunteers to make this lunch enjoyable. Could you give two hours of your time to assist?

Look for us at the MERF tent, along with other local nonprofit organizations, at the upcoming Mentone Fall Festival. Stop by and say hello and learn more about all the good change happening with MERF and how you can get involved.

As the light of day fades a bit, and you embrace this new season, know that MERF is working diligently to continue “enriching the living and learning” of all those in our community.