Friends of Boxwood plan activities to boost Medina’s historic cemetery

Money has been raised to restore stained glass window in chapel

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Rob Klino and Mary Lewis, members of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, stand by one of the trees recently planted by the village at the cemetery. They are inviting the public to an informational event May 20 to learn about the cemetery, trees and plants which are suitable there.

MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are excited to announce they have raised enough money to pay for restoration of the stained glass window in the chapel, and are embarking on another year of events and improvements.

“Now we will begin working on replacing chapel walls and other improvements in the chapel,” said Rob Klino, president of Friends.

At 10 a.m. on May 20, the Friends of Boxwood are inviting the public to a morning of information at the back of the cemetery by Glenwood Lake. Attendees should bring their own chair.

“We are going to go over cemetery rules, the best plants to use in the cemetery, and the alternative to plants,” said Mary Lewis, also a member of Friends and the village’s Boxwood Commission.

Everyone who attends will get a free plant, she said.

Six new trees of assorted varieties have been planted in the cemetery, including ginkgo and dogwood.

Other events for this year include the first ever tea party at Boxwood on June 17, chaired by Cindy Robinson and Georgia Thomas.

A headstone cleaning class is scheduled for July 15.

But the big fundraiser, according to Klino, is a bigger and better “Boxwood at Night,” scheduled Sept. 30, or a rain date of Oct. 7.

“We got a grant from GO ART!, and we are going to outdo ourselves over last year,” he said.

There will be more musicians, more lighting and character actors. Among those portrayed will be Robert Newell and May Howard who survived the sinking of the Titanic at age 27.  More information and how to RSVP will be available on the Friends’ Facebook page. Email FriendsofBoxwoodCemetery@gmail.com for more information.

In addition, Friends of Boxwood is looking for new board members and volunteers to help with projects in the cemetery, as well as donations. A tax-deductible donation may be made by sending a check to Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, P.O. Box 543, Medina, 14103.

Photo from Friends of Boxwood Cemetery: The Pike Stained Glass Studio Group from Rochester last month removed the bottom portion of the stained glass window from the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery.  The window will be restored over six months. The Medina DPW assisted Pike with the removal.