Summer Stories and Socials

Cub Scout Pack 4178 replaced the US flag at the Pathway to community. Left to right: Myles Battles, Baxter Austin, Hawkins Brown, Larkin Brown, Sawyer Brown, Cutter Battles, and Hunter Brown.

What a beautiful start to summer on the mountain! Plenty of people are taking advantage of the walking track during the cooler hours. Have you noticed the new flag? The Mentone Educational Resources Foundation (MERF) appreciates the Mentone Cub Scout Pack 4178 and Cubmaster Nathan Austin for replacing the flag at the Pathway to Community.

An exciting new feature is headed to the walking area this summer: StoryWalk, a series of interactive, educational digital panels that visitors can use to learn more about our natural surroundings. A StoryWalk will also be installed in Valley Head. If you have experience with StoryWalk or would like to be involved with this project, you’re encouraged to contact MERF to volunteer in building and installing the podiums and other tasks. The StoryWalk project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Partial funding for MERF’s StoryWalk project supplies has been provided by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Seniors, join MERF for two more summer social/lunch events at Moon Lake Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 24 and August 21. Be there or be square!

On a personal note, over the past (almost) two years, I have grown close to all the seniors at the lunches and made many new friends in my role with MERF. Working at Valley Head School and helping the teachers provide hands-on experiences for the students is dear to my heart.

Like MERF, my life has many layers and chapters in its story. I will soon be bookmarking this chapter and moving on to the next. Notice, I did not say closing. MERF holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to be part of it. I look forward to flipping back to the bookmark and occasionally volunteering and writing for “The Groundhog.” Serving as executive director of MERF is a rewarding experience, and I appreciate the MERF board of directors for their help, patience, encouragement, and friendship along the journey.

In this issue, you’ll find a MERF application for the next executive director. If you love enriching lives, helping students achieve, and chatting with local seniors, please apply. MERF has always accomplished great things, and even more wonderful opportunities are just around the corner.