By Sonja Kosler
Staff writer
The Perham Area Community Center has a new attraction. Shermie the Pelican took up permanent residence in the childrens wading pool on May 4.
Former Perham resident Robert Perry had donated funds to the PACC in memory of his long time friend, Sherman Mandt. The PACC Board thought an appropriate memorial should be something seen and used every day. PACC staff had been dreaming for years of a water feature for young children. The donation from Perry made the dream and the memorial a perfect match.
Some folks have mentioned the Pelican is a mascot for another nearby town; they think Perham should have a turtle. Well, PACC director Kevin Nelson says a turtle water feature was available, but not too practical it is an enormous water slide. The Pelican is a perfect addition in the space available.
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Shermie (who was affectionately named with permission of the Mandt family) is made of steel with a fiberglass head. A wheel is turned to draw water up through his body, the water then spills from his beak onto the children waiting below in the wading pool. Children really respond to the bright character. Nelson himself had a trial run for TV cameras on the morning of May 6.
Thanks to Robert Perry, children will enjoy their new toy at the wading pool while older adults in the community will be reminded of Sherman Mandts contributions to the PACC and to Perham.
