Groups beautify downtown monument

A monument located smack dab in the heart of downtown Lehighton has been embellished.

Members of the Main Street Steering Design Committee and the Lehighton Area Leo Club gathered Wednesday morning to redo the planter at the borough’s lower park Wednesday morning.

Within a few short hours, the landscaping work at the Colonel Jacob Weiss monument was not only completed, but looked immaculate, according to Steering Design Committee member Rocky Ahner.

Ahner said the group removed the weeds and old mulch, put mesh down to prevent weed growth and put new mulch back.

He said the Lehighton Downtown Initiative donated the materials, such as mulch and fabric.

Ahner said the Steering Design Committee focuses on downtown design, promotion and economic restructuring.

“In the past few years, new businesses have opened in downtown Lehighton,” Ahner said. “Our objective is to make our town more appealing to attract businesses with the same idea.”

Leo Club member Ashley Beers said the project ties in with the group’s theme of serving their community.

“This is just us serving and helping our community,” said Ashley, who will be a junior at Lehighton Area High School.

Fellow Leo Club member Roger Pomposello took it one step further.

“I think it’s important to do things like this,” said Roger, who will also be a junior at Lehighton Area High School. “It makes our community look better, and builds more of a sense of community.”

Chairwoman Sue Anthony said the group worked well together on the project.

“We’re here in support of these kids,” Anthony said. “We have a good group of kids.”

Any youth from Lehighton and surrounding areas ages 12-18 years can join Leos. There is no fee for membership.

Leos is a younger group of Lions willing to serve their community through volunteerism.