By Emily Ford photo editor, and Grant Phelan staff writer
The Saegertown Cemetery French Creek Trail’s grand opening was Sunday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. Leading from the southeast corner of the cemetery, the trail is marked with a sign followed by the pathway leading to benches donated by members of the community. The purpose of the two benches are for cemetery visitors to honor and remember their loved ones, according to Saegertown Cemetery Association Vice President Chester Morfenski.
A group of seniors from Saegertown Jr. Sr. High School helped complete trail with the SCA President Chuck Orr and Vice President Chester Morfenski during the summer as part of their senior projects. Seniors who volunteered include: Grant Phelan, Kaitlyn Walsh, Joseph Gajdowski, Kevin Field, Alexis Oldakowski, Skylar Leszek, Emily Ford, Nakia Rivera-Dalton, Jude Mattocks, Jeff Baldwin, John Jackson, and Jesse Stewart.
“It feels good that we did it voluntarily, and that people know high school kids did it for the community benefit,” said Stewart. Students were asked to shovel and rake wood chips, donated by Telliho Tree Service, to mark the trail.
“So many people were very willing to help,” said Morfenski. “A majority of donations were not even asked for or cost us anything.”
Saegertown Women’s Improvement Club and Charles Lake donated signs to help better mark the trail. Saegertown Hardware supplied all tools that were necessary to construct the project. Thrivent Financial contributed money to reward the workers with pizza for their hard work and t-shirts. Wilson Building Supply donated all the posts and wood, crucial for fencing. Linda Fink provided seeds for landscaping. Mitch Hohmann of Blooming Valley Landscaping designed the trail through the woods. Sunset Memorials provided cement bases for the benches that were sponsored by the Waid and Mizner Funeral Homes along with community member John Hasenkopf.
Stewart said, “I think it will be rewarding for the community. That is why it felt rewarding to complete the project.” All cemetery visitors are welcome to use the trail at their leisure.
