Myrtle Merkel, 80, of Groton died Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Golden Living Center, Groton.  Services are pending with Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

• The Groton Area High School FCCLA is sponsoring a St. Jude's Trike-A-Thon Today, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the GHS Arena. Groton area daycares/preschools are invited to participate in the event. By participating in the Trike--A-Thon, children learn riding-toy safety rules as well as compassion for other people, It helps St. Jude patients battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases.
• Since it started, St. Jude's has developed protocols that have helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent ot 80 percent.
• Donations include the use of the arena by Groton Area High School, snacks will be provided by Ken's Food Fair, prizes for participants from the Groton Dairy Queen and the children will be visited by members from the Groton Police Department.
• Anyone wanting to drop off a "much appreciated" donation can do so by visiting the GHS off, attention Lindsey Tietz, or at Teddy Bear Day Care by Friday, April 26.