By Linda Harkcom

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 8:53 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Chestnut Ridge Historical Society is offering a program which helps those who would like to decorate the graves of their loved ones for the holiday season.

Last year, the organization began to sell Christmas wreaths and place them on the graves for those who requested that service.

“It's just a little extension of our Memorial Day program. Some people can't get to the cemetery so we are trying to help them at this time of the year, too,” said program coordinator Chris Kantorik.

The fresh, evergreen wreaths are available in two sizes, a 16-inch wreath for $25 and an 18-inch for $30.

Created by Linda Brown Floral in Donegal, the wreaths come with a bow, stand and pine cone decorations.

“This is our second year doing this for them,” said Brown regarding the business's production of the wreaths.

Kantorik termed the effort as being “more of a community service.”

“We make a little bit of money from the wreathes,” Kantorik said.

The money raised from the program is used by the organization in its mission to collect and preserve the oral and written history and artifacts of the portion of the Laurel Highlands known as the Chestnut Ridge, she said.

Customers can make an appointment to pick up wreaths at the society's office at the Cook Township Community Center on state Route 711 North in Stahlstown, she said.

They can have the organization place wreaths on the graves for them, she said.

Kantorik said she and other volunteers have decorated graves as far away as Everson, Ligonier and Indian Head.

Gerry Marks of Mt. Pleasant Township purchased wreaths from the organization last year which she placed herself. She also had them decorate graves with flowers for Memorial Day.

“It was very nice and well worth the money. I think it's a good community service that they are offering (both) for the elderly who aren't able to get out and for those who live far away,” Marks said.

Those interested in ordering wreaths can do so by accessing an order form from the organization's web site, www.chestnutridgehistoricalsociety.org, or by calling Kantorik at 724-593-2046.

Forms must be mailed to: CRHS, P.O. Box 62, Jones Mills, PA 15646 before Nov. 22.

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