Welcome to your weekly bulletin for Merrill, MI. Bundle up, grab your calendar, and enjoy the best of winter around town. Here is what is happening now, plus a peek at the rest of January.
This week at a glance
- Sun Jan 11 - Winter Warm-Up Soup Social at the Senior Center, 4:00-6:00 pm. Bring a mug if you like; free bread and cocoa while supplies last. Live acoustic tunes by local volunteers.
- Mon Jan 12 - Library Winter Reading Kickoff, 5:00-7:00 pm. Sign up for the January reading challenge, pick up a starter bag, and join the storytime at 6:00 pm.
- Tue Jan 13 - Open Skate at the Township Park Rink, 6:00-8:00 pm. Hot cider for sale by the youth club. Helmets encouraged. Rink lights on at dusk.
- Wed Jan 14 - Community Blood Drive at the Fire Hall, 1:00-6:00 pm. Walk-ins welcome, ID required. Free soup and rolls for donors.
- Thu Jan 15 - High School Basketball Home Doubleheader, 5:30-8:30 pm in the gym. Pep band at halftime and student section theme night. Concessions open.
- Thu Jan 15 - Adult Euchre Night at the Community Center, 6:30-9:00 pm. Partners drawn at the door. Small-prize raffle benefits senior programming.
- Fri Jan 16 - Family Movie Night at the Library, 6:30-8:15 pm. Cozy seating on the rug, feel free to bring a blanket. Light snacks provided.
- Sat Jan 17 - Fire Department Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Hall, 8:00-11:00 am. Pancakes, sausage, and orange slices. Kids can explore the engine bay with a firefighter guide.
- Sat Jan 17 - Winter Woods Walk at Township Park, 1:00-2:00 pm. Guided nature stroll on the packed trail, all ages welcome. Sledding hill meet-up follows at 2:15 pm if conditions allow.
Later this month
Mark these dates as January rolls on in Merrill:
- Wed Jan 21 - Winter Craft Night at the Library, 6:00-7:30 pm. Make-and-take snowflake lanterns. Materials provided while supplies last.
- Fri Jan 23 - PTO Chili Cook-Off in the School Cafeteria, 5:30-7:30 pm. Sample bowls, vote for favorites, proceeds support classroom mini-grants.
- Sat Jan 24 - Food Pantry Distribution at the Community Center, 9:00-11:00 am. One household representative, curbside assistance available.
- Sat Jan 24 - Youth Wrestling Invitational at the High School, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Concessions and team bake sale.
- Sun Jan 25 - Indoor Winter Market at the Township Hall, 10:00 am-1:00 pm. Local honey, preserves, bread, and handmade goods.
- Thu Jan 29 - Trivia Night at the American Legion Hall, 7:00-9:00 pm. Teams up to six, general knowledge rounds with winter bonus questions.
- Sat Jan 31 - Ice Safety and Fishing Clinic at the Park Pavilion, 10:00 am-noon. Demonstrations on augers, safety picks, and basic gear for beginners.
Ongoing winter fun
- Open Skate Hours - Weather permitting, the Township Park Rink aims for weekday evenings 6:00-8:00 pm and weekend afternoons 1:00-4:00 pm. Look for the rink flag at the entrance for current status.
- Senior Stretch and Balance - Community Center, Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 am. Low-impact movement, chair options available.
- Library Reading Challenge - Track pages all January. Kids, teens, and adults can earn small milestone prizes.
- After-School Study Hall - High School media room, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:30 pm, staffed by volunteer tutors.
Notes and reminders
- Event Hosts - If you need to update a time due to weather, please post updates on your usual bulletin boards and notify the Community Center for the town calendar.
- Volunteers Needed - Helpers for the Jan 23 PTO Chili Cook-Off and Jan 31 Ice Clinic. Sign-up sheets at the school office and park pavilion.
- Skate and Sled Share - A bin of gently used gear is available at the rink warming area. Take what you need, return when you can.
Have an upcoming February event in Merrill? Drop off details at the library desk or the Community Center front office by next Wednesday to be included in the next bulletin.
