Leslie Merrill

I never imagined that I would have the wonderful opportunities and experiences have come my way. I've been able to meet and work with wonderful people around the world. Walk the halls of the Kremlin? Private tour of Red Square? Visit China for two weeks as the guest of Jackie Chan? work in one of the worlds largest gas plants on the Island of Borneo and hike through the wild jungle? Spend a month in the highlands of Columbia with private security guards?
Yeah, these were fun. But I would trade all of them for one minute with my grandson and granddaughter! (Only two, they're spoiled)

One of my favorite teachers at BHS was Nathan Plummer, the wood shop teacher. We knew that we could pull some things over on him now and again, but looking back on it (in my advanced age) I believe that he knew everything that was going on. Boys will be boys.

Something that we didn't know (at least I didn't at the time) was that he was a prisoner of war in Japan. If any of you have read the book Unbroken you will understand what he must have gone through. I understand that he was 98 lbs when he was liberated from the camp.

I had the pleasure of knowing him later in life through the Sons of the American Revolution. Great man, great teacher. I'm glad that I learned what has become a great hobby, benefiting my family with a few handmade pieces.