Robert with a group of volunteers in the Old Union Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Theresa Ruth. Robert S. Ruth, 14, a Life Scout with Troop 146 of Hewitt, NJ, recently completed his Eagle Scout project on the Old Union Cem- etery, Route 519, in Hope. Robert’s original project called for the leveling and cleaning of 110 headstones in the cemetery. His com- pleted project, encom- passing 166 headstones and over 600 man hours, was completed on July 3rd, 2011. Many head- stones were discovered almost completely buried while leveling other stones. These buried stones were added to the project and also reset and cleaned. Robert became inter- ested in the Old Union Cemetery after his sister, Kimberly Pearce (Ruth), a former resident of Blairstown, happened on the dilapi- dated cemetery during a day of photography with a friend who had recently moved to New Jersey from Texas. He expressed interest in conserving the cemetery after his Life Scout Hewitt, New Jersey Life Scout Completes Eagle Scout Project in Hope Township board of review in August of 2010 when his Scoutmaster, Glenn Morris, asked if he had a project in mind. Robert received train- ing in cemetery conser- vation from Jonathan Appell of Gravestone Preservation, during a weekend class in August of 2010. The class was held in the Wethersfield Historic Cemetery in Wethers- field, Connecticut. He then went about finding out what the name of the cemetery was and who, if anyone, was responsible for it. He did research through www.gravefinder.com and was able to identify the cemetery and the rest is history. Robert’s sister, Kim- berly, assisted by friends Spiro Petrisis and Ed Arroyo, organized and promoted a fund raising concert that was held at the Clash Bar in Clifton, NJ. The Clash Bar kindly charged only $200.00 for the use of their venue which enabled Robert to raise $1150.00 to fund his project. Performing free of charge were Sammy Kay (of the Forthrights), Chris Skel (of the Skels), Crave Case and The Now. Good times were had by all. Robert would like to thank the following for their kind contributions and assistance with the project: The Old Union Cemetery Association, Lester Shotwell, Eliza- beth Shotwell, Ann DePietro and Ruth Huston The Clash Bar, Clifton, Marshall Hill Materials of West Milford, North Warren Farm and Home, Blair- stown, Maryanne Shot- well, Allied Building Supply, East Rutherford, 1-800-TOP-SOIL, Robert DePuy, Steven Veninger, The Harrington Family, Jim, Aidan, Liam and Shawn; Elaina Kalogerakis, Aaron and Kim Pearce, Mr. Glenn Morris, Scott Morris, Tommy Carroll, The Massena Family, Marlon, Elizabeth, Pierre and Mark; The Walsh Family, Pat, Robin, Gillian and Patrick; Charlie Thayer, The Capozzi Family, Lou, Carol and Joe; Spiro Petrisis and Kim Dowd, His Uncle Eddy and Cousin Evan Ruth, and his Mom and Dad, Bob and Theresa Ruth. Pocono Manor Stables’ Horse Trainer Competes in National Reality Television Show Tyler Flake, horse trainer for the Pocono Manor Stables, located at The Inn at Pocono Manor, competed with his registered American Quarter Horse recently in a national reality show to determine “America’s Favorite Trail Horse.” The show will air in 13 one hour episodes on national television and the series will also be shown online courtesy of HRTV, beginning September, 2011. Mr. Flake and his horse, Icees Investment, affectionately known as Stella, competed at the regional audition this past spring in New York. During their competi- tion, which included completing an obstacle in a pattern and forty- five second freestyle, they were awarded the highest score of the day, as well as the highest scores possible. As a result, Tyler and Stella were honored as one of the 100 teams chosen from across the United States to proceed to the national finals, which were held in Austin, Texas. The finals will air as the national reality show series, during which the contestants will com- pete for $100,000 in cash, prizes, and the honor of being called
