News Forum Shady Grove Post Office to Close--For Good--On Tuesday?
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50¢ Friday/ Saturday Perry News-Herald May 24-25, 2013 Serving the Tree Capital of the South Since 1889 News Forum Shady Grove Post Office to close--for good--onPerry News-Herald Tuesday? The Shady Grove Post service, told the Perry It is unclear at this Office, which has survived News-Herald Thursday time what will happen several attempts by the that he was notified by a to the approximately U.S. Postal Service to close Postal Service official that 80 patrons who have its doors over the years, morning that they would post office boxes at the appears to have finally lost not be renewing their lease, facility, including its battle. which expires Friday, May whether they will receive Wear your seatbelt! Shady Grove resident 31, and would be vacating service in Perry or Additional Perry Police Auley Rowell, who rents the building Tuesday, May ➟ Please see page 3 Department (PPD) patrols the facility to the postal 28. will be on the streets this Memorial Day weekend as part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket It” campaign. ‘Daddy!’ Downtown Officers will be stepping up enforcement of seatbelt and treasure traffic regulations. “We encourage everyone to buckle up. Violators face back in minimum fines of $101. A recent survey showed that local hands the number of people locally who use their seatbelts The Bloodworth building is lower than the national has anchored the corner of average. We need to change Green Street and Jefferson that,” officials said. for more than a century. The “Click It or Ticket It” In recent years, the campaign kicked off May building passed to out-of- 20 and continues through town owners and has stood June 2. vacant. Empty, but not forgotten. School district Now, it is getting a William K. ‘Bill’ Merrill was killed in action in new lease on life with the March 1945. He had just turned 23 years old. conducting announcement this week attendance survey of its sale to longtime downtown businessman The Taylor County School Doyle Lundy, owner of District is conducting an A tribute to Johnson’s Bakery. attendance survey and is “It is simply too much asking for assistance from a part of Taylor County parents. history to let it go,” Lundy “The school district values said. my brother input from our parents and “I’m afraid that if it had sat By ANGELA M. CASTELUCCI Bill was killed in a bloody would like you to complete empty and unattended much the attendance survey on Staff writer battle on foreign shores longer, we’d have another William “Bill” Merrill 68 years ago. He had just our district website: www. Emporium (referring to taylor.k12.fl.us,” said Director Perry Primary School kindergartner Rose Mingus welcomed never called Perry home. In turned 23. a very special guest Thursday afternoon when her father, Cpl. another downtown landmark truth, he never had a chance “He was the star of the of Support Services Michael building that had to be torn Thompson. George Mingus, arrived in her classroom to sign her out for to put down roots in any family. I just knew he was school for the day. Teacher Melanie Morgan announced to the down due to disrepair). I just particular town. coming back (from the class they had a special guest just before Cpl. Mingus entered didn’t want that to happen.” But he found a home in war). I was just as certain Free exercise the room. When Rose saw who it was, she shouted, “Daddy!” and Lundy said his goal is the military, joining the that I would not. But, I made classes for girls then jumped into his arms for their first hug in almost 11 months. to restore the building to National Guard at age 17. it back and he didn’t,” Paul its original condition, with Free exercise classes for Cpl. Mingus, who has been serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. As his young brother said. Army Reserves since last July, surprised all three of his children, retail space available on the Paul Merrill--who has “Bill had become a girls ages 10-13 are being bottom floors. offered weekly at Loughridge who had not known he was returning home. Rose’s visit was the called Perry home for the sergeant and aspired to second for the day, as George has already greeted son John at “We didn’t live in town, past 58 years--describes it, become an officer. He Park, every Tuesday starting but when we came to at 4 p.m. Taylor County Pre-K. His next stop was Taylor County Elementary “the Guard suited him to a really loved the Army. School to greet his fifth-grade daughter, Ladona. Cpl. Mingus’ tour Perry on the weekends, ‘T’…he was very good at His unit went from Camp The program is sponsored ➟ by Healthy Start and was his third, having already completed two tours in Iraq. Please see page 5 it.” Blanding (staging area) to Covering Kids & Families. When the Japanese Fort Benning, Ga. He didn’t attached Pearl Harbor, like school, but in the Army, Merrill’s unit was brought he went to every school he Rotary Club to host into the regular Army and could. While at Benning, he Father/Daughter Man counter sues county he became an instructor, ran the company for a while Dance preparing men for and taught people a number deployment overseas. of things, including the new The Perry Rotary Club for $2.5 million in damages While today finds many Garand rifle. will host its inaugural families planning to take “I had a chance to A Cedar Island property has filed a counter-claim Rd. owned by Timothy Father/Daughter Dance on advantage of the upcoming visit him there and saw owner, against whom the against the county alleging Brooks, a resident of Friday, June 14, at the Perry three-day Memorial Day him teaching officers the Taylor County Commission physical and mental Cheboygan, Mich. Woman’s Club. weekend with BBQs Garand. When he was 20, filed a foreclosure indamages in excess of $2.5 According to county “Share a fun-filled evening and fishing trips, Paulhe went to Officers Training April 2012 on unpaid million. officials, the code with your little girl,” organizers Merrill wants to take this School. I had the pleasure of fines resulting from code The case involves a parcel said. ➟ opportunity to express his seeing him graduate. violations at the property, located at 105 Cedar Island Please see page 3 The event will begin at 6 gratitude for the sacrifice “Bill trained further and p.m. and will feature a live DJ his brother—and thousands then he was sent to Fort for dancing, food and door of other soldiers just like McClellan, Ala. He trained prizes. him—made in service to Tickets are $30 per couple Spring Jamboree tonight their country. ➟ Please see page 3 and $10 for each additional guest (daughter). Tickets are available at the Perry-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, Ceremony will honor Java Depot or any Rotary Club member. All proceeds benefit the local soldiers Monday Perry Rotary Club community service efforts. at Vets Memorial Park Taylor County veterans will host the sixth annual Food distribution is Memorial Day program at Veterans Memorial Park today at Jerkins Monday, May 27, starting at 10 a.m. “Our guest speaker will be Col. Gene Carter. The JROTC Jerkins Food Pantry will Honor Guard will post the colors and preside over a hold a food distribution flag-changing ceremony. We will be lowering the flag today (Friday), from 8 a.m. to Perry News-Heraldwhich honored 1st Sgt. Charles Sessions and raising a noon. flag in honor of Ssgt. Charles Gandy Sr.,” Coordinator Ed The pantry is located Sheffield said. at Jerkins Community A tribute and remembrance to soldiers killed in action Center. will also be made with the performance of “Taps.” Refreshments (hot dogs, chips and drinks) will be served The Taylor County High football team will take on North Florida Christian following the ceremony. tonight (Friday) at Perry’s Dorsett Stadium in the annual spring jamboree All veterans and their families are encouraged to attend football game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Shown above is action from last as well as all Taylor residents. week’s “Blue vs. White” intrasquad game. (Photo by Aaron Portwood) Index Weather Looking Back ......... A-2 Entertainment ........ A-8 Friday 90˚ Saturday 87˚ Sunday 87˚ Perry News-Herald Living ..................... A-4 TV listings .............. A-9 65˚ 56˚ 54˚ One section 124th Year, No. 21 Religion .................. A-6 Classifieds ........... A-10 www.perrynewspapers.com Sports .................... A-7 A-2 Perry News-Herald Looking Back May 24-25, 2013 Remember when... We remember Home The Taylor County World War II remedies community is invited to • Hugh C. Blue: technician honor the lives and legacies 5th grade, U.S. Army, killed of those who paid the in action. ultimate price for freedom • U.S. Army Staff Sgt. By ANTHONY L. WHITE during Memorial Day James R. Brock: buried in [email protected] ceremonies Monday, May Nettuno, Italy. 27, at Veterans Memorial • U.S. Army Captain Park, starting at 10 a.m. Ralph L. Christy: buried in Band-Aids. (Ret.) Col. Gene Carter Margraten, Holland. Alcohol swabs. will serve as guest speaker • U.S. Army Cpl. George for the event and a flag- Connell: buried in Henri And aspirin. raising ceremony will honor Chapelle, Belgium. These were the things you’d find in my the late Ssgt. Charles Gandy • Private First Class grandmother’s First-Aid kit.