Monica Merrill wins Ernie Strow Community Employment Memorial Award

Maybe now a pizza party at Monica Merrill's house for employees at the Motel 6 in Avery will become a reality.

The cause for celebration: Merrill, a Christie Lane Industries client who also works at Motel 6, has won the Ernie Strow Community Employment Memorial Award.

The honor is bestowed upon CLI clients "in recognition of our employees in the community who possess high working standards as employee of the year," reads a plaque.

Strow was a CLI employee "loved by everyone here," said CLI director John Schwartz.

Merrill's tasks have included stripping linens from rooms, doing laundry, cleaning vending machines, cleaning windows and mopping the floor.

"I like it," Merrill said about her work at the motel, adding she likes her co-workers.

"She's up there with the best of them," Merrill said.

Merrill always comes ready to work and doesn't goof around, Bolton said.

Still, she has time to joke around with her co-workers.

"She's deserving of it," Bolton said about the award. "It's good that she won it."

A running joke started when employees suggested they have a pizza party at her house by the pool. Merrill laughs when the topic comes up, Bolton said.

Merrill and her co-workers have another reason to celebrate. Her favorite football team, the Cincinnati Bengals, have clinched a playoff birth with a 10-4-1 record. Merrill flashed a smile Tuesday as she noted that the Bengals beat the Denver Broncos 37-28 Monday night.

Merrill wasn't the only CLI client to be lauded Tuesday.

Curtis Loney received the Mary Hornsby Award, named after a long-time CLI production manager.

Schwartz said Loney, who isn't very verbal, is willing to perform any task asked of him.

Deanna Bowling received the Mary Christian Good Friend Award, which recognizes individuals for their services within the community, providing advocacy and support through their created friendships. Christian was a "great friend to people. Everyone loved her," Schwartz said.


Article courtesy of the Norwalk Reflector: http://www.norwalkreflector.com/article/5945616