Leadership class restores old cemetery
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on March 9, 2005 1:47 PM
Visitors to Waynesborough Village will soon be able to see an original cemetery that was restored by the 2004-05 class of Leadership Wayne County.
The class worked Saturday on the cemetery, which dates back to the original township. They cleared overgrown foliage and removed brush to provide a safe access path to the cemetery.
Grave markers and the cemetery grounds were cleaned to restore how the setting may have looked in 1839 when several members of the Cogdell family were buried. Several other possible graves are thought to surround the Cogdell plots as well.
During the cleanup, two relics were discovered -- one piece of period glass from an old wine bottle and a portion of an iron pot. These items will be displayed at the museum.
The class will finish the project this spring by placing a marker on the site noting the work of the class and the historical significance of the cemetery.
Waynesborough Village expects to open the grave site for visitors within the next few days as part of their nature walking tours.
Each Leadership Wayne County class completes a community work project that is intended to enhance Wayne County.
On Feb. 18, the class held its "Business and Industry Day."
The day began with an overview at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce by Executive Director Steve Hicks of the chamber's services and support for its 800 members.
The class then toured the Franklin Baking Company. Chief Operating Officer Tom Buffkin gave a speech on personal development and leadership. He explained the Franklin philosophy of serving people first and shared examples of outreach and kindness provided by the Franklin employees to others within the community and within all of Franklin Baking Company.
The class then visited ParkEast Industrial Park. At Park Designs, Vice President Thomas Bell gave a brief history of the company, followed by a tour.
The Wayne County Economic Development Commission hosted lunch, and President Joanna Thompson talked about economic development.
The class then departed for the Mt. Olive Industrial Park where Kenney Moore, president of Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers, told the history of his company and gave a tour.
The class then visited Hilex Poly Co., manufacturer of plastic grocery bags and agricultural mulch film.
The class completed the day with a presentation conducted by Patti O'Donoghue, president of the Mt. Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, which has 300 members.
For more information on the program or to obtain an application for next year, people may call the chamber at 734-2241.