To publish Merrimac column items, e-mail items to Robin Thomas at rtthomas@aol.com or The Daily News at ndn@ecnnews.com; by fax to 978-465-8505 or mail items to 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950.
Memorial Day Events
Any group wishing to march or help with the Color Guard and Firing Squad are welcome to join the American Legion in attending the Merrimac Elementary School Services on Friday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sweetsir School.
Memorial Day services will be held Monday, May 26, with the first service beginning at 8 a.m., at the Rocks Village Bridge. Prayers will be offered by a local chaplain, and the Pentucket High School Band will be present. A formal service will be held at 8:45 a.m. at the Locust Grove Cemetery. This year's guest speaker will be Scott Glaise, Gunnery Sergeant and Marine Corps recruiter. In case of rain, services will be held at the Merrimacport United Methodist Church on High St.
Herb program at library
"The Joy of Organic Herbs" with Rita Wollmering of the Herb Farmacy in Salisbury will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. No sign-up required for this program sponsored by the Merrimac Public Library. Wollmering will share her expertise and knowledge to teach how to grow, harvest, utilize and preserve organic herbs.
Merrimac senior trips
The following are being offered by the Merrimac Senior Center, 100 E. Main St.. For more information, call Joyce Gariepy or Laura Mailman at 978-346-9549.
Thursday, June 19 — Boston Duck Tour. Includes luncheon at Amrhein's Restaurant, one-and-a-half-hour adventure aboard the Boston Duck Tours, Deluxe Yankee Line bus, driver/escort, gratuity. Departs at 10:30 a.m., returns at 5 p.m. Cost: $78 per person. Payment due at reservation, or before June 1.
June 1-3 — Baltimore, Annapolis, Red Sox. Best Western Hotel or Crowne Plaza in Baltimore, three meals, two buffet breakfasts, dinner and show at Toby's Dinner Theatre, "The Wizard of Oz," tour director, bus, gratuities. Cost is $469 per person, double. Fifty-dollar deposit due at sign-up. Final payment due by April 2.
July 5-9 — Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. First class hotel at Halifax and Bar Harbor, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia International Tattoo, three meals, Peggy's Cove and more. A Yankee Line transportation. Cost: $999 per person, double.
Sept. 17-20 — Niagara Falls, Toronto, Red Sox. Country Inn & Suites Niagara Falls, taxes, baggage, gratuities, continental breakfast, tour of Niagara Falls, dinner at the Skylon Revolving Dining Room, the Great Gorge, illumination of the falls, reserved seating at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Red Sox versus Blue Jays, featuring Irish Night on Sept. 19, time to explore Toronto on your own, time at casino at Niagara Falls across from the hotel, Deluxe Yankee Line bus with onboard refreshments. Cost is $469 per person, double. Deposit of $50 due at sign-up. Final payment due by Aug. 1.
More items to recycle
Residents may now recycle plastic containers Nos. 1 through 7, which include most household beverages, food, laundry and beauty product containers. Look for the recycling triangle and No. 1 through 7 on the product. No toys, plastic bags, tools, kitchen utensils, packaging, plastic bags, Styrofoam, motor oil, hazardous or chemical containers will be accepted. For more information, visit merrimac01860.info/recycling, or call 978-346-8862.
Planning Board seeks member
The Planning Board needs a new alternate for special permit hearings and site plan reviews. Darryl King will leave the board after the Broad, Lancaster and Dandurant projects are finished, so another person is needed for new projects. Those interested should contact Town Clerk Pat True at 978-346-8013 or e-mail townclerk@townofmerrimac.com.
Return forms for annual street listing
Annual street listing forms have been mailed to all residential addresses. The forms are required by state law to be mailed each year to ascertain the resident of that address as of Jan. 1. The forms may be returned by mail, left at the Town Hall, or at the public library. If you did not receive a form, or have questions, call the town clerk at 978-346-8013 during regular business hours.
The town clerk reminds residents that they cannot register to vote by making changes to these forms, nor can they apply for absentee ballots with them. These actions need to be taken at the town clerk's office.
Zoning Board seeks member
The Merrimac Zoning Board of Appeals seeks an alternate member to attend monthly meetings at the library. The new member will be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Interested residents may call Debra Weinhold at the Zoning Board of Appeals at 978-346-0525 or Jennifer Penney at the Board of Selectmen at 978-346-8862.
Mobile food pantry schedule changed
The Merrimac Mobile Food Pantry, operated by Our Neighbors' Table, will be at the Merrimac Public Safety Building, 16 East Main St., on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. to distribute food to needy Merrimac residents. Due to the overwhelming demand, distribution must be limited to residents of Merrimac. Identification may be requested.
Donations of food to Our Neighbors' Table programs are always needed. You are welcome to bring them to the truck when it is in Merrimac.
Yard waste site open
The Yard Waste Site is open each Saturday through Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, brush will be accepted on the following days: May 17, June 21, Sept. 6, Oct. 11 and Nov. 15.
Metal items collection first Tuesday of month
Bulk metal items (appliances, grills, air conditioners) and bulk white items are picked up by Mello, the town's household curbside waste collector, only on the first Tuesday of the month. Residents must purchase a bulk item sticker from the selectmen's office by noon on Fridays.
Electronics Recycling Fundraiser May 17
The Groveland Cub Scout Pack 113 is hosting a recycling electronics day Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Perry Park. Bring computer monitors, TVs, VCRs and DVD players. The recycling will cost a small fee, and the Cub Scouts will help pick up all items from those in need of aid. Pickup will be Friday, May 16, after 4 p.m. If you have any questions regarding the fundraiser, contact Pattie Garzone at Garzone@comcast.net or 978-521-1222.
