Noteworthy

‘Corona Fairy’ Brightens Along Her Way

A couple months ago, Abby Peyton made a sweet post on Facebook about her friend Merry Quarles, and agreed to let us share it. If you know someone who has blessed you, like Merry has Abby, let us hear from you! We’d love to celebrate that special person.

“Merry Quarles is a super bright ray of sunshine in our little community here in @downtownwoodstock, where she pours into other people constantly. Whether it’s volunteering

Merry captivates her young audience.

Merry is surrounded by her audience: Denver, Lenore, Shepherd, Michael and Raleigh. Photos by Abby Peyton.

for the local cultural arts center helping with productions, helping put together a beautiful wedding for a dear friend, or throwing a small party for some little kids to remember the life of an amazing author/illustrator. [Eric Carle, author of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ died on May 23, 2021]

“Last year, during the thick of quarantine, she showed up at my house to surprise my three young children with an egg hunt to brighten their day while stuck at home. She and her husband, Mike, hand-delivered loads of candy-filled eggs to our home (and several other children’s homes) and left without being seen. The kids kept asking who left the eggs, and I told them it was the ‘corona fairies.’ Since then, we’ve coined her Merry the Corona Fairy (not sure how she’ll feel about that nickname.) But either way, she is a giver. Light and joy overflow from her contagious smile and kind heart! We love you @merrilymerryq!”

High Schooler Excels at New Sport

What began as a way to keep in shape during down time last year has led Avi Fox to a sport in which he is thriving, and winning awards. At the Stars and Stripes National Championship in Salt Lake City in July, the gymnast walked away with first and third place wins, while sister Talia placed 12th, 16th and 30th in her competition. The Woodstock resident and rising ninthgrader at The Walker School is a retired artistic gymnast who began trampoline and tumbling in May 2020, when school Talia and Avi Fox and most sports shut down. He joined his younger sister in the gym to keep in shape and have fun. Mom, Alison, said that with lots of hours in the gym, hard work and training, Avi qualified to compete at the USA Gymnastics Championships in June, held in conjunction with the Olympic Trials. He earned a silver medal, competing as a level 8 trampoline gymnast in the men’s 15 and older division. “Having to train with your sibling by your side isn’t the easiest thing for these two, but they have made it work, pushing each other and cheering each other on,” Alison said. “It’s never a dull moment in our household, where someone is always bouncing and flipping around.”

The Towne Lake Optimist Club recently made a $1,500 donation to Give a Kid a Chance-Cherokee to help the nonprofit provide backpacks and school supplies to Cherokee County youth at its July 17 back-to-school outreach. The club regularly supports youth programs with money raised through the Flags for Kids program, which places flags at homes and businesses in Towne Lake.

Optimist Club Donation Helps Youth