BY KAREN BIRNBAUM KAROW
The 50th Reunion of the Merrill High School Class of 1971 was held Aug. 27-29, 2021. Festivities included a get together at Kathy and Cal’s Club 64 on Friday night, where approximately 40 people attended, some who would be unable to attend the following day. On Saturday morning, a table was set up at Normal Park, where Katie English Krause handed out information about Merrill things to do and see while visiting. A golf outing also took place Saturday morning at Merrill Golf Club.
On Saturday afternoon, the reunion got its “official” start at the Eagles Club in Merrill. Carol Ellenbecker Willis and Steve Willis set up a photography studio, capturing pictures of all attendees as they arrived. They also captured pictures of the evening, including this group picture. Dinner and drinks followed, including an engraved glass memento for all guests, in which was served vintage wine from their era. In all, 178 classmates, teachers and their spouses attend – an outstanding turnout!
Class memorabilia and a memorial board were on display, decorated rocks [“Class of 1971 Rocks” and “50 Years”] were placed on the tables and in the rock beds outside. The Eagles was decked out with Merrill High colors, table decorations, and a lovely cake.
The Committee received many compliments on the event. Committee members, including Chris Malm, Debbie Zahn Stadler-Gapko, GaleJankowsky-Wolff, Linda Frederick Weege, Clark Callahan, Norm Hanson, Karen Birnbaum Karow, Nancy Heath Kasper, Peg Geiss Brown, Barb JirovecTorgerson, and Sue Fehlberg Kunkel, all said it truly was a labor of love.
To browse more photos, go to the Class of 1971, Merrill High Facebook page.