“Our ancestors would be proud” was one of the comments made by Brenda Wendt, one of the owners of Blooming Wishes Gift and Floral Gallery as bystanders gaze at the new mural on the west wall of the OddFellows building in downtown Merrill.
Most good outcomes result from a need, a spark and collaboration. All of that happened to produce an outstanding Inspirational wall – the brainchild of Brenda Wendt with co-owner Tanya Kleinschmidt and sister-in-law Mae Wendt with support from co-owner Maxine Plamann. Then there’s the historical trolley car mural painted by seven Merrill High School art students. Collaboration came from a $900 grant originating from the Love of Cities seminar coordinated by the UW-Extension, Merrill Area Chamber Foundation, and Church Mutual Insurance Company that along with creative fundraising to add “Jack the Trolley Dog.” Smokie, entered by Linda Bergh won over 23 canine entries to immortalize a Merrill Advocate news story while raising needed funds to complete the project under the auspices of the Merrill Historical Society.
The completion of this project will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 4 with a ribbon cutting, mayoral proclamation and plaque presentation for the seven student artists: Nicole Seidler, Mckenzie Broeking, Kendyl Pettit, Matthew Ruge, Madey Heimerl, Tristen Prebeg and Jeza Kleinschmidt.
The times for the events Saturday are as follows: 10 a.m., presentation of plaques; 10:30 a.m., ribbon cutting; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., music by Aaron Shawn Huhta.