School’s out: Time for summer fun in Merrill

School’s out for the summer in the Merrill area, and it’s time for summer fun.
Now there is more time and opportunity for baseball, softball, and t-ball. Many teams already began playing earlier this spring. And this past weekend Merrill held its annual Youth Baseball Tournament at three area parks. Games for 8- to 12-year-olds were played at Lions Park, with games for the 13-year-olds at Ott’s Park, and games for the 14-year-olds at Merrill’s Athletic Park, beginning last Friday, May 29, 2026, and running through Sunday.
Activity has increased with more kids playing and just gathering at area parks, and soon there will be regular visits to the Bierman Family Aquatic Center at the MARC or to Council Grounds State Park to go swimming. Groups will gather for impromptu volleyball games and ball games.

On the water
It’s officially family vacation time, and whether area families pack up and go camping or stay in the area for a stay-cation, many families will be taking advantage of the area’s resources to spend time with the kids fishing, kayaking, tubing, and boating on the water.

Water safety is paramount. Life jackets save lives — make sure every child on the boat is wearing one, and always use the buddy system when swimming. Never swim alone.
Boaters are also reminded that carbon monoxide can build up when a boat is idling or sitting stationary for a time and can cause illness and even death. Pick up a carbon monoxide detector and get it mounted on your boat. Lincoln County Coroner Valerie Caylor is advocating Wisconsin follow the lead of other states in requiring carbon monoxide detectors on boats after an 11-year-old girl tragically died on Lake Alexander while boating with family last summer. Carbon monoxide factored in her death, and several other children on the boat became seriously ill. Even in wide-open spaces — as opposed to inside an enclosed space — carbon monoxide can be deadly.

On the road and sidewalks
Summer is prime season for more kids getting outdoors, riding bikes, Razor scooters, skateboards, four-wheelers, and other ATVs. Drivers are reminded to stay alert for youth on wheels of any kind, as it’s easy to miss seeing them in a vehicle’s blind spots — and to watch for motorcyclists, as well. They should also be on the lookout for kids playing with balls and other potential hazards, as children may dart out into the street without stopping to look for traffic.
Parents are asked to remind kids of best practices for staying safe: stopping at corners before crossing streets or entering roadways — whether walking or on wheels — looking both ways before going into the roadway after a ball or toy, and not taking rides from anyone unless parents know who is providing the ride and where they are going.

Remind kids — and adults — that when walking on the edge of a street or roadway rather than on a sidewalk, to always walk facing traffic. Drivers have seen an increasing number of walkers of all ages who walk with traffic, putting themselves in greater danger of being hit if a driver fails to see them or is temporarily blinded by the sun or glare.

Fun close to home
Whether families and kids are enjoying camping and cookouts, sleepovers and playdates, or just hanging out, Wisconsin’s short summer season provides a welcome respite from the normal school schedule for many area residents. The Merrill area offers ample opportunities for get-togethers that facilitate social interaction with peers and intergenerational fun, as well. The local movie theatre is starting summer movie matinees, local venues offer bowling, mini golf, and regular golf, the T.B. Scott Free Library offers special summer programming with special events and weekly activities, the skateboarding park on First Street is free to use, and there are plenty of fun activities available within walking, biking, or Merrill-Go-Round distance to keep the kids occupied this summer. And don’t forget the local spots to cool off with an ice cream cone, sundae, or root beer float and the free evening concerts at Normal Park.
For industrious youth, many local businesses are still hiring summer help, and some of the younger crowd have already been mowing lawns or setting up lemonade and cold-water stands on corners on hot days to make some summer cash and keep everyone hydrated.
Whether it’s songs and s’mores around a campfire in the backyard, a week at summer camp, hiking the River Bend Trail, or just hanging out — summer is for making memories.

Sun, bugs, and other hazards
Keep heat safety in mind on hot days. Make sure kids drink plenty of water throughout the day, even when they don’t feel thirsty. Know the signs of heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea — and get kids into the shade or indoors with cool water if symptoms appear.
Cover the kids in sunblock and reapply frequently, especially when spending time in the water.
Apply insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites that can itch, cause scratching to the point of infection, and carry a growing list of diseases. It also helps protect against wood ticks and deer ticks, which carry their own set of health risks.
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in Wisconsin, and Lincoln County is no exception. It is spread through the bite of an infected deer tick and is most active May through November. Early symptoms — which can appear anywhere from three days to a month after a bite — include a bull’s-eye shaped rash at the bite site, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain. Not everyone develops the rash, so watch for flu-like symptoms as well. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, causing long-term effects. The good news is that Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, and early treatment leads to full recovery in most cases. Always check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors, and remove any tick promptly with tweezers using steady upward pressure.

Possible increased blasto risk
This summer, area residents spending time near the water should also be mindful of another local health concern: blastomycosis, commonly known as “blasto.” Lincoln County is among the top counties in Wisconsin for blastomycosis cases, and with water levels being lowered in the area to work on the dams, more shoreline soil will be disturbed and exposed — conditions that increase the risk of exposure.
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by spores that live in moist soil and decaying wood and leaves near waterways. When that soil is disturbed — by digging, hiking, camping, riding ATVs, or clearing brush — the spores can become airborne and be inhaled without a person even knowing it.
Symptoms typically don’t appear until two to 15 weeks after exposure and can range from mild to severe. Early signs include cough, fever, chills, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest or back pain, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, and skin sores that appear crusted or grow larger.
Because symptoms can resemble a cold or respiratory illness, they are easy to dismiss or misdiagnose. If you or a family member experience these symptoms after spending time outdoors near the water or in disturbed soil, contact your healthcare provider and mention the possible exposure. Blastomycosis is treatable with antifungal medication, but early recognition matters. Note that dogs are also susceptible to blasto — watch for signs such as eye problems, lack of appetite or energy, a raspy bark, or trouble breathing, and contact your vet promptly if you notice them.

Fireworks safety
With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it’s a good time to review fireworks safety. Keep young children well away from any fireworks, including sparklers, which can reach temperatures high enough to cause serious burns. Always have a bucket of water nearby, never relight a dud, and consider enjoying a professional show rather than setting off your own.
Don’t forget to mitigate the potential hazards of summer life in Wisconsin — and to have a fun and safe Wisconsin summer!