Emotions are running high in Menlo.  While residents are excited about the new school facility that will be ready by the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, there is a lot of memories and nostalgia that are associated with the old school and the gymnasium that has seen several generations of children from Menlo, Cloudland and the surrounding area.

Portions of the old Menlo School harken back over eight decades when Menlo not only had an elementary school, but a high school as well.

Area resident Keith Lutz is doing something to hold on to a little bit of the old Menlo School gymnasium.  Lutz is working to save the iconic Menlo Tiger emblem that was on the floor of the gym.  Lutz said, ” I know how the emotions are strong with this building. I’m doing everything I can to save the Menlo Tiger from the middle of the gym floor. It’s taking a lot of work, but once we get it out I’m going to make something out of it. Either a big table for the new school, or make it into a wall hanging. I love and respect the feelings about this old school. I have a wife who teaches in it, and three kids who go to school in it. My whole world has been in this school”.

Lutz told WZQZ News that he plans to start a “Go Fund Me” to take up donations for the project.  He also says that he has been able to get some bricks and pieces of the floor if anyone is interested in having a small piece of the “old Menlo School” gym.