[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 158 (Wednesday, October 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. MERLIN DUMBRILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2009

  Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Mr. Merlin 
Dumbrille, a revered and prolific voice of the community.
  Merlin will retire today, October 30, 2009, after 58 years of 
broadcasting on WTCM Traverse City.
  His long history with the station began when, at 8 years old, Merlin 
first entered WTCM with his father as they tuned the station's pianos. 
Fascinated by what he saw, Merlin returned 8 years later and has never 
left. Few could have foreseen the impact that the day would have not 
only on his life, but for the residents of greater Traverse City.
  Merlin has been the voice of the Traverse City community for 58 
years. He started his show on WTCM, Farm and Orchard Time, in 1963, for 
which he has won numerous state and local honors. It has become one of 
the longest continuously-running shows in the nation. During his time 
behind the microphone, he has been a voice for Northern Michigan 
farmers. He also served as the Farm Director, and the Public Affairs 
Director for the station.
  Merlin has been a standard-bearer in the studio and without. His 
service to his community deserves high praise. He was a longtime 
producer and host of the National Cherry Festival and Parade. For the 
past 3 decades, he has also been the audio technician for the Central 
United Methodist Church Sunday broadcast.
  Despite all of these momentous accomplishments, I'm sure Merlin will 
say that the biggest blessings of his life are June, his wife of 55 
years, his three children, and his three grandchildren.
  On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, I would like 
to extend my congratulations and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Mr. Merlin Dumbrille and wishing him the best of luck in 
his retirement.

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