That seemed to be more in the front of everyone's minds this year since the events of Sept. 11.

I received a call from Peg Crowley who wanted to make a comment: "The area lost a good citizen when Weldon Cousins died on May 9, 2002. He was one of the nicest men I knew and rose above personal tragedies in his life to be an inspiration."

I told her I would be glad to add that to our news.

Then on Friday morning I had a chance to be present in Mrs. Watson's fourth-grade classroom when Cpl. Josh McCandless paid a surprise visit to the class.

It was very exciting to watch the students including Josh's brother Derek, who is in the class, react to this visitor. Josh has just returned from Kosovo, where he was on a peacekeeping mission for more than six months.

The class has been writing to Josh and some other soldiers as pen pals all year. Josh is the son of Susan Guiler (McCandless) and Gregory McCandless and the grandson of Charles and Hazel Guiler and Bill and Charlene McCandless, all of Mercer.

Josh is attached to Charlie Company 214 10th Mountain Division. Josh and his wife, Tiffiny, will be returning to Fort Drum, NY after attending the graduation of Josh's sister Allison from Mercer High.

Josh described for the class what life would be like for a child in Kosovo. He told them that the people are very poor and houses are of mud.

He explained the medals and badges on his uniform -- his Airborne wings, marksmanship badge, etc. The class asked questions about his life in Kosovo such as: "What do you eat? Did you have to shave your head? How many guns do you have?"

This class wrote to Josh and other servicemen as pen pals all year.

Josh is a 2000 graduate of Mercer High and his duty position is: Brave Team Leader, 1st Squad, and 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company.

So as Memorial Day reminds us to honor those who died for this country, this project reminds us to show support for those men and women who are defending us now.

Civic-minded are aplenty

"No more pencils, no more books, no more ..." Well, you remember how that went.

That was at a time of life when summer stretched out like an endless parade of days just to be enjoyed. Why is summer so much shorter once you are an adult?

Congratulations to all the graduates of 2002.

I have been impressed with the number of civic-minded people we have in Mercer.

The civic committee of the Chamber of Commerce decorates the tree on the courthouse lawn and the horse heads for the summer.

In addition, there is a Committee for the Beautification and Edification of the Courthouse whose projects include placing flowers around the courthouse.

It is an all-volunteer group who procure money for their endeavors from businesses, groups and individuals. Any resident of the county may join them for their meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Butler Street.

Look for this group at Victorian Days where they will be selling tussie-mussies at the Helen Black Miller Chapel. Victorian Days are July 19, 20 and 21. (If you don't know, come and see what tussie-mussies are.)

K. of C. 4720 keeps busy

Another group I heard from this month was the Knights of Columbus Council 4720.

At the K. of C. state convention the Mercer council was honored with the Supreme Council Award for Community Activities.

It is a prestigious award given to only one council per year per jurisdiction.

This award was for the Louis B. Muentz Memorial Shoes for Kids Project. This year alone the local council presented 70 $40 gift certificates for shoes and related products to deserving children.

Dave Shipton, financial secretary, accepted the award on behalf of the group, and was accompanied by Grand Knight Nick Manfredi.

The Council will also be awarding three $500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Mercer and Lakeview school districts.

The awards will be given at a dinner at 6:30 p.m. June 14. The three graduates are Danielle E. Retallick, Lakeview, Serena E. Ghering, Lakeview, and Emily Boal, Mercer.

The students had to send transcripts, have letters of recommendation, write an essay, have a 3.0 grade point average and display leadership and community service attributes to be considered.

What great young people!

Courthouse square music

One way to slow down, relax and enjoy a warm summer evening is to attend the summer concerts on the courthouse square.

The first one, "Best of the Big Bands" will be on June 21 and will feature the Mercer Community Band, an ice cream social from 6-9 p.m., sing-a-longs and vocal and instrumental solos.

Warm-up entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and the main concert is at 7:30. It is a great summer activity each Friday and the price is right!

Coming area activities

Just a few reminders of upcoming events:

June 8-9, Relay for Life at Mercer High stadium; 11, blood bank at Mercer Methodist Church from 1-7 p.m.; 11, Mercer council at 7:30 p.m.; and 17, Mercer school board at 8 p.m.

Coming up in July are the Mercer County Grange Fair from 8-13, Fredonia Fire Dept. Old Home Week 16-20, and Jefferson Township Fair 23-27.

Mark your calendars-.

Club and church events

There are ice cream suppers such as the Guernsey ice cream supper at the 4-H Park on July 12 and many other activitiesplanned.

There are outdoor services at some churches, such as the ones planned for the Big Bend United Methodist Church which will have worship outdoors on the last Sunday of each month and weather permitting -- possibly more.

We are fortunate to live where we have four distinct seasons (although sometimes they are all in the same week).

So meander through Mercer and enjoy summer!