COMMUNITY PRIDE

Volunteers help clean up Edgewood Cemetery

POTTSTOWN >> More than 100 people took part in the Second Annual Edgewood Cemetery Fall Cleanup as volunteers cleared overgrown shrubs, raked leaves, weeded and planted garden areas, weed-whacked and mowed and bagged debris.

In addition, Hill School student volunteers manned a “bucket brigade” on Saturday, Oct. 5, to collect donations toward the mowing fees, and guests and passersby purchased raffle tickets for a variety of prizes donated by Pottstownarea businesses and individuals.

About $895 was raised through raffle ticket sales and donations.

In addition, on Sept. 27 the Three Fingers Neat Scotch & Cigar Club held a golf tournament at Hickory Valley Country Club and, with participation by about 40 golfers, raised about $6,000 for Edgewood Cemetery.

All funds will be used to cover mowing and other basic maintenance costs which run about $25,000 per mowing season, or $800 a “cut,” based on the low bid received for this past spring and summer’s work.

“Without the generous contributions we receive from individuals and organizations, I really don’t know what we would do,” said Andrew Monastra, president of Historic Edgewood Cemetery Inc., a small volunteer board that acts as a “Friends of the Cemetery” organization to

care for the cemetery, which was abandoned around 2012.

“We were, again, overwhelmed and encouraged by the turnout and collaborative effort of the volunteers who came out to further improve the cemetery grounds,” Monastra added. “The volunteers seemed to enjoy the day; there was noticeable camaraderie and a positive Pottstown vibe.

“This is an ongoing effort,” he continues, “so the enthusiasm of the cleanup participants inspires us to keep working to address this very visible community need. We know the grass will keep growing — and we dream about making additional improvements to the grounds — so we welcome suggestions and assistance with additional fundraising and maintenance projects.”

Individuals who missed the cleanup can still make a difference by donating to Edgewood Historic Cemetery, c/o 740 E. High St., Pottstown, Pa. 19464.

“We are immensely grateful for every gift,” Monastra said.

Monastra noted that there are many people, in particular, who deserve the thanks not only of the Cemetery board but all of Pottstown.

Among those who helped (and in many cases continue to contribute):

• Hobart’s Run and The Hill School. The school contributed $5,000 in July 2019 (and previously gave $5,000 in 2018), and Hobart’s Run co-organizes the clean-up events. In addition, a number of Hill students, faculty, and staff members worked at the clean-up.

• Paul Kennedy and George Bell of Three Fingers Neat were the driving force behind the golf tournament fundraiser.

• The Pottstown Rotary, led in this effort by Kirsten Gieseler, provided a group of cleanup volunteers.

• A chipper was loaned and operated by Rob and Paula Bickelman of Find Solutions Properties.

• Landscaper Dave Eagen devoted his Saturday to mulching the garden areas at the cemetery.

• Rocky Citrino of Little Italy Pizza/The Pourhouse provided a spread of sandwiches for the volunteers.

• Numerous Pottstown businesses and individuals contributed to the raffle, including, in no particular order: Beverly’s Pastry Shop; The Ice House; Once Upon a Time Consignment Boutique; Words of Art by Ali Jacobs; Steel River Playhouse; Three Daughters Inn; Newbee Ranch; Jack Cassidy’s Pub; Triple Bee Aviary; Solid Rock Landscaping; Achin’ Back Garden Center; Matt Haverstick, parent of two Hill students, who donated dinner and an overnight stay in Philadelphia; and Kelly Mallon, who made five themed gift baskets.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Volunteers help clear overgrowth from a grave “cradle” at Edgewood Cemetery in Pottstown during the second annual cleanup event.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Gary Arthurs, a resident of Pottstown, offers his mowing expertise during the Edgewood Cemetery cleanup day.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Hill School students Emily Li, Aidan Ma and Samir Khan pitch in at the Edgewood Cemetery cleanup day.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Edgewood Cemetery board members Sue and Andrew Monastra, Cathy Skitko, and Deb Penrod helped organize the cleanup event.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Hettie Webb and Pottstown student participants from the Ricketts Center’s Torch Club volunteered at Edgewood Cemetery.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Hill School students Colin Brown and Jake Craig helped to collect pocket change from passing drivers to benefit Edgewood Cemetery.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Kelly Mallon, seated, contacted Hobart’s Run about helping with the cleanup, which she did by donating five gift baskets for the raffle and helping to register volunteers like Ellen O. Nelson, a Hill School arts instructor.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Pottstown School Board member John Armato and Twila Fisher, director of economic and community development for Hobart’s Run, teamed up, tools in hand to spruce up Edgewood Cemetery.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL Pottstown resident and Pottstown CARES coordinator Katie Scanlan gets it done with rake in hand.

PHOTO BY SANDI YANISKO/THE HILL SCHOOL A little bit of mulch goes a long way toward improving the garden at the entrance of Edgewood Cemetery.