Small town’s big centennial a hit with residents, visitors

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
CAPT. MERRILL — Ken Bustard, left, never lost a beat as he portrayed the founder of Merrill, Capt. William Merrill. With him is local businessman Scott Nevers and Hiram White, right, returning to his hometown Merrill for a visit from Connecticut.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    MERRILL — A parade, a play, awards, games, exhibits, food, fun and face painting were among the many events that went into Merrill’s centennial celebration last weekend. Town Manager Candy Nevers said there were probably 800-1,000 visitors over the weekend and “that’s not bad for a town of only 250 people.” In fact, many residents were directly involved in the events.
    Smiling faces and sunshine were everywhere in the Merrill’s Millstream Park where most of the events took place. But, honoring veterans was the linchpin connecting those events which had a decidedly patriotic salute to men and women who have served and continue to serve the country.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/
Elna Seabrooks
LITTLE HIJACKER? — Jacob McNally, 18 months, lives in Oakfield and went to the Merrill Centennial with his grandmother Sharon Anderson, originally from Merrill also now living in Oakfield. Jacob took a liking to the centennial baby’s official float and wanted to ride in it.
    “The streets were lined with flags. Everywhere you looked there was a flag,” said Nevers. There was even a flag-folding demonstration by MSgt. Rob Furrow and his son Daniel Furrow who is a firefighter in Stockton Springs. The elder Furrow said: “A lot of people don’t know or understand each fold of the flag has a special meaning.”
    Small American flags surrounded the newly built stage in the park where a dozen military families were recognized. Among them were Cindy and Ralph Bartman, of Merrill, who have three sons in the National Guard. “That represents each one of our sons that served,” Cindy Bartman explained pointing to the three blue stars on a field of white bordered with red. “William and Ralph were in Iraq. Ralph went again for another tour,” her husband added. Their third son is serving stateside as a responder doing anti-terrorism work.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photos/
Elna Seabrooks
KERPLUNK DUNK! — Maddie Cummings, above left, was a willing volunteer for the dunking booth and said it was nice since the weather was hot.
    One of Pam Shields’ sons is still serving in a submarine in an undisclosed location while another completed his tour in Afghanistan. The Smyrna resident accepted her Blue Star award and said: “It’s a wonderful celebration for our boys who are in harm’s way.”
Visitors from far and near
    Visitors to the three-day event came from nearby areas like Mars Hill, Houlton and Patten. But two of the visitors who traveled the longest distances were Hiram White, on vacation from Wallingford, Conn., and Greg Gayne, from Phoenix, who is building a camp in Patten.
Emma Folsom, 4, was enthralled by Conjuring Carroll, above right, when she was called onstage to participate in his magic show.
    White and Scott Nevers stopped by “Capt. William Merrill’s home” that had been set up in the park. He and Nevers chatted with a surprisingly youthful-looking Merrill who told visitors about his life at sea and how he had founded the town 100 years ago by purchasing the land for only $1,946. “Merrill,” portrayed by Ken Bustard, explained that the people in town were “wicked friendly” despite some “awful poachers” nearby named Bustard. The captain’s interview will run in the next edition of the Pioneer Times.
    White was born in Merrill and said returning to the town from Connecticut for the centennial “was terrific. Just great to see family and friends.” Gayne, visited the quilt display at the Smyrna-Merrill Historical Society on Route 2 in Smyrna before heading to the events in the park. “Look at the hard work that went into these quilts. Its just amazes me,” he said.
    Families watched their children splash around and cool off in an Oakfield Fire Dept. fold-a-tank. Chief Joe White said, “it looked like everyone had a good time.” He sent four trucks with 20 men and women to participate in the parade. Later through musters, the firefighters demonstrated their skills such as managing hoses during water wars and putting on turnout gear.
The Smyrna-Merrill Historical Society hosted a quilt show in connection with the centennial. Dale Hosford, left, and his wife Cathy drove from Dyer Brook for the festivities on Saturday. With them is Greg Gayne of Phoenix who is building a home in Patten.
    Children played a number of games for prizes and it seemed everyone walked away with something. A magic show held the young ones captive and Conjuring Carroll even called some up to the stage as magicians assistants. And, on Sunday, children had a special treat with a teddy bear drop. Small gifts with mini parachutes were dropped to children from a plane piloted by Craig Morse. Horace Russell supplemented the airplane drop with additional teddies so that every child got one on Sunday.  
    Volunteers agreed to go into a dunking barrel which wasn’t a bad idea during the heat of the afternoon. Maddie Cummings said it was “nice” because of the hot weather. Candy Nevers had her turn, too when Craig McMannus, chair of the selectman’s board agreed to donate $50 to park improvements.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
TOP FLOAT  — This float won one of the Merrill Centennial commemorative coins, at left, for their participation in the parade. From left are Yolanda Martinez, Shelemyish Martinez, Amy Dennis, Wambli Martinez and Tawana Martinez. Dennis is a close friend of the family who lives in Houlton who rode with the Martinezes, who are Apache and live in Merrill.
    “He lined up some kids with good arms [to hit the target],” she explained. But, that wasn’t the end of it. Her husband matched the wager and she said it only took a few minutes to raise $100 for the park, “all in good fun.” The town is planning expansion of the park and purchase of playground equipment.
    Several floats in the parade received awards for their design and significance in the form of centennial coins. Nevers said the centennial sets, in bronze, gold plate or solid silver, can be purchased through the town office.