The public is invited to a special gathering to honor the memories of 10 individuals and families who left a mark on Kent’s South End neighborhood.
On display will be the Brown & Peoples Fruit Tree Grove of Elders, which features 10 fruit trees and memorial plaques dedicated to deceased Kent residents.
The event is from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at Kent’s Thomas-Anderson Memorial Garden, 1110 Walnut St.
Each of the saplings — apple, cherry, plum, fig, peach and pear — was provided by families who have lost a loved one, Historic South End Association Chairwoman Doria Daniels said. The Grove of Elders is meant to honor the past and give hope for the future, Daniels said.
Those being memorialized are the Dora Johnson family, Roger Di Paolo, John Crnkovich, the Head sisters, Victor D. and Antonietta T. Thomas, Harry and Hannah May Boyle, Printellis Wright and Robert Wright, Georgia Louise Mabry-Smith, Janis Fitzgerald, and D. Howard and the Peggy Milton Family.
A park bench donated and dedicated by the Kent Lions Club will also be on display.
Families of those memorialized are invited to a private event after the public viewing.
Donations are accepted and can be made to Hometown Bank, c/o the Thomas-Anderson Memorial Garden.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.