Friends of Midland

P. O. Box 7442
Steelton, Pennsylvania 17113-0442
E-mail:  Friends of Midland

Midland Diary

2006 Year end wrap-up
Volunteers help maintain, clean, repair, feed, beautify the cemetery

Pictures, notes and interesting things that happen at the Midland Cemetery.

At left, volunteer Brent Davidson paints a birdhouse, which was donated to the Friends of Midland Cemetery by a supporter.  Behind him, society president Barbara B. Barksdale discusses the day's activities with board member and treasurer Clayton Carelock.

Davidson donated several hours per week to the Friends as a community service commitment for his college degree.  The Friends of Midland works with local educational institutions to provide opportunities for high school and college students to earn community service credit.

For more photos of some of the work performed by Mr. Davidson, see below.

Friends of Midland member David Harris works on the John Deere tractor, used heavily by our work crews to keep the grass neatly mowed through the summer.

The uneven terrain takes its toll on all of the machinery, and Harris' expertise at keeping the machines operating is invaluable.

At right, Lonnie Dodd, a Friends of Midland board member, cooks hamburgers for the work crew as lunchtime approaches.  Lonnie provides many of the meals which keep our crews going, and is particularly known for her special desserts.

Below, Brent Davidson removes the cover plate to the light that illuminates the flag at night.  Davidson installed a tough Lexan shield to provide protection from the weather.

The flag flies from Memorial Day until shortly after Veteran's Day each year.

At top, Brent Davidson finishes repairing the light box.

At right, Lonnie Dodd serves picnic food to guests at our annual Memorial Day celebration.

The picnic bench pictured at right was completely rehabbed by Brent Davidson this summer.  The wooden slats had rotted and were broken, and the paint was peeling.  Davidson replaced the wood and repainted the bench.

It now provides a restful spot from which visitors may rest and contemplate the serenity and beauty of the cemetery.

Our good friend and neighbor John Hand continues his program of beautifying the cemetery with ornamental plantings.  Mr. Hand uses transplants from his own garden and his extensive gardening skills to ensure that there is always something in bloom in the cemetery.

At left, a butterfly bush literally bursts with beautiful and fragrant lavender colored flower spikes.  This is one of several bushes he has planted along the line of the historic carriage lane that runs through the cemetery. 

Boy Scout Patrick Erb and friends and family pose for a group portrait after installing a new fence around a portion of the cemetery.  For more on that story, click here.

More photos of Patrick and his crew are here. 

WE ARE ON THE MOVE.  JOIN US.

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