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Midland Memorial, dedicated 1999.

Friends of Midland

P. O. Box 7442
Steelton, Pennsylvania 17113-0442

E-mail:  Friends of Midland

hurricane cleanup

 

august 2004

Two large trees blown down by hurricane winds obstruct the cemetery.«Two large trees block a large portion of the cemetery and obscure several tombstones.

The hurricane that moved through the Harrisburg area in mid-August 2004 left many trees down, damaged homes and interrupted power for many people.  Portions of Swatara Township were hit hard and township crews worked long shifts clearing trees and debris from area streets.  Shortly after the storm, Barbara Barksdale of the Friends of Midland checked up on the cemetery and discovered that several large trees in the cemetery had been toppled by the high winds, and numerous large branches littered the site.  An appeal for extra volunteers went out and on Saturday, August 21, the regular work crew was joined by a few community volunteers to begin work to clear the lots.

A crewmember gamely starts to work with a saw.The work crew was initially hampered by a lack of a chain saw.  Here, a crewmember attacks a downed tree with a crosscut saw.  It appeared that it was going to be a long day.»

The regular work crew was hampered in their removal efforts by the lack of a working chain saw.  Fortunately, Mr. Frederick Panza, a Swatara Township resident, arrived with a working chain saw and by the afternoon the two large trees had been reduced to firewood.  

Swatara Towship resident Frederick Panza works with a chain saw.  

«Swatara Township resident Fred Panza arrived to help clear the hurricane debris.  Here, he cuts one of the large trees into firewood.

Photo credits:  George F. Nagle, 2004.  All photographs are clickable for larger images.

Crewmembers load branches into a tractor cart.  Poison ivy was a constant hazard.

Two crewmembers load branches onto a tractor for transport to curbside so that they can be removed by the township.»

 

 

By afternoon only stumps remained where the two trees had fallen.« Only stumps remain where forty-foot trees had littered the cemetery lots.  Thanks to all who helped us clean up after this storm. Your help truly shows a dedication to community.

 

WE ARE ON THE MOVE.  WON'T YOU JOIN US?

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This page was updated August 22, 2020.