The Community Connection

Artists sought for Edgewood Cemetery cleanup and art fair

- By Evan Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymed­ia.com @PottstownN­ews on Twitter

POTTSTOWN » Friends of the previously abandoned Edgewood Historic Cemetery at 989 E. High St. are planning a community cleanup for Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year Hobart’s Run and Edgewood Cemetery organizers want to breathe new life into the 12-acre site not only by weeding and planting flowers but also by hosting an Art Fair during the cleanup event.

The event is being billed as “Edgewood Eddie’s Art Fair and Cemetery Clean-up” in tribute to the hawk who lives at the cemetery and frequently makes his appearance, perching on tombstones or looking over the grounds from one of the trees.

Area artist and photograph­er Bronwyn DeMaso has given Eddie his name. She has frequently captured him with her lens.

The fair will serve as a fundraiser for the cemetery maintenanc­e fund used to cover the site’s annual $16,000 to $20,000 mowing fees. However, the group’s goal also is to bring some joyful community spirit to the grounds. They request that participan­ts wear masks in keeping with current best practices.

Interestin­gly, in days past cemeteries were used for outdoor family events like picnics and other social gatherings. The Edgewood friends would love to see Pottstown residents appreciate and use the cemetery’s park-like setting – and the Art Fair, they hope, will attract families to the venue, even if they can’t assist with gardening and other tasks.

As noted on the flyer, artists may set up a table for a nominal fee of $25. If they’d like to donate an item for the raffle also benefittin­g the maintenanc­e fund, it would be very much appreciate­d. Other raffle donations are welcomed! To donate a raffle item, email volunteer Cathy Skitko at cathy@hobartsrun­pottstown.org or text 610-9067872.

Table reservatio­ns may be made by sending a check for $25 to Edgewood Historic Cemetery c/o 740 E. High St., Pottstown, PA, 19464 or using the Edgewood Historic Cemetery PayPal account. Art Fair questions can be directed to DeMaso at 484-235-7875.

Volunteers with questions should contact Edgewood’s President, Andrew Monastra, at 484-459-5412.

 ?? SUBMITTED IMAGE ?? Edgewood Cemetery
SUBMITTED IMAGE Edgewood Cemetery

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