Photo by J. Berenato
The Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission, the Hammonton Environmental Commission and the Oak Grove Cemetery Association extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who brought this project to fruition. Your dedication and hard work have truly contributed to the preservation of South Jersey history.
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Angela Donio, Chairperson of the Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission
Role: Oversight, approval and support of the Salem Oak Project
Barbara Neary, Recording Secretary for the Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission and Project Director
Role: Grant writer and project coordinator, leading the planning and execution to ensure all phases of the project met stated goals and requirements
Joseph F. Berenato, Caretaker and Board Secretary/Treasurer for Oak Grove Cemetery
Role: Historical advisor, scribe of the written histories, creator of webpages with QR code access, narrator of audio histories and always willing to “get his hands dirty”
Dan Bachalis, Chairperson of the Hammonton Environmental Commission
Role: Through a competitive process, selected Oak Grove Cemetery as the permanent home of the Salem Oak seedling; provided technical support and consultation throughout the project and partnered with Berenato to “get his hands dirty”
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Adam Monacelli, Hammonton Communications Director and Parks & Recreation Manager
Role: Video/audio engineer as well as designer of interpretive sign and marketing materials
Scott Rivera, Hammonton Public Works Department Head
Role: Provided care and maintenance of the Salem Oak seedling in the Town Tree Bank for three years prior to the permanent planting at Oak Grove Cemetery
Mica McCullough, former Executive Director of MainStreet Hammonton
Role: Funded Salem Oak marketing/educational materials distributed at various Downtown events
Hammonton Art Club
Role: Designed Salem Oak coloring pages for marketing and educating children
PROJECT SPECIALISTS
Robyn Berenato, former Oak Grove Cemetery administrator and Secretary/Treasurer to the Board of Trustees
Role: Historian at Oak Grove Cemetery; writer of proposal for placement of the Oak to the Hammonton Environmental Commission, and advocate for and supporter of the Salem Oak Project
Lydia Rivera-Serrano, Retired
Role: Translator of histories of the Oak Grove Cemetery and the Salem Oak
Gladys Torres, past President of the Puerto Rican Civic Association
Role: Narrator of histories of Oak Grove Cemetery and the Salem Oak in Spanish
DONORS TO THE PROJECT
Oak Grove Cemetery Association Board of Trustees
Role: Donated 8 plots, providing a permanent home for the Salem Oak seedling
Michelini Family and EB Fence Company
Role: Provided materials and installed beautiful protective fencing around the Salem Oak seedling
Barbara Neary and Dan Bachalis
Role: Provided decorative viewing bench
Hammonton Town Council, especially Councilwoman Renee Rodio, Quality of Life Committee chair; Mayor Stephen DiDonato; Councilman Tom Gribbin, Deputy Mayor; Councilman Sam Rodio; Councilman Jonathan Oliva; Councilman Steven Furgione; Councilman Anthony Marino.
Role: Ongoing support
COMMISSIONS
Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission: Angela Donio, Chairperson; Christine McCullough, Vice Chairperson; Barbara Neary, Recording Secretary; Jack Mazzeo; Marty Matro; Lorraine Chappine; Carol Santora; Jeff Michelini; Ricky Alverio.
Hammonton Environmental Commission: Dan Bachalis, Chairperson; Terri Caruso-Cafiso, Vice Chairperson; Dr. Michael Hozik, PhD; Amy Menzel; Charley Crowley; Chris Bethmann; Ryan Niedoba; Steven Carr; Joseph F. Berenato.
Special Thanks to the Following Key Organizations:
Salem Friends – Robert Simmons
Lenni Lenape Nation – Kevin Street
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs
Noyes Museum – Michael Cagno, Phoebe Farris, Suzanne Reese Horvitz
Special Thanks to the Following Vendors:
Pannier Graphics
Apple Printing Co., Inc.
Pro 1 Signs
The Hammonton Gazette
Casciano Coffee Bar and Sweetery
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Angela Donio, Chairperson of the Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission
Role: Oversight, approval and support of the Salem Oak Project
Barbara Neary, Recording Secretary for the Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission and Project Director
Role: Grant writer and project coordinator, leading the planning and execution to ensure all phases of the project met stated goals and requirements
Joseph F. Berenato, Caretaker and Board Secretary/Treasurer for Oak Grove Cemetery
Role: Historical advisor, scribe of the written histories, creator of webpages with QR code access, narrator of audio histories and always willing to “get his hands dirty”
Dan Bachalis, Chairperson of the Hammonton Environmental Commission
Role: Through a competitive process, selected Oak Grove Cemetery as the permanent home of the Salem Oak seedling; provided technical support and consultation throughout the project and partnered with Berenato to “get his hands dirty”
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Adam Monacelli, Hammonton Communications Director and Parks & Recreation Manager
Role: Video/audio engineer as well as designer of interpretive sign and marketing materials
Scott Rivera, Hammonton Public Works Department Head
Role: Provided care and maintenance of the Salem Oak seedling in the Town Tree Bank for three years prior to the permanent planting at Oak Grove Cemetery
Mica McCullough, former Executive Director of MainStreet Hammonton
Role: Funded Salem Oak marketing/educational materials distributed at various Downtown events
Hammonton Art Club
Role: Designed Salem Oak coloring pages for marketing and educating children
PROJECT SPECIALISTS
Robyn Berenato, former Oak Grove Cemetery administrator and Secretary/Treasurer to the Board of Trustees
Role: Historian at Oak Grove Cemetery; writer of proposal for placement of the Oak to the Hammonton Environmental Commission, and advocate for and supporter of the Salem Oak Project
Lydia Rivera-Serrano, Retired
Role: Translator of histories of the Oak Grove Cemetery and the Salem Oak
Gladys Torres, past President of the Puerto Rican Civic Association
Role: Narrator of histories of Oak Grove Cemetery and the Salem Oak in Spanish
DONORS TO THE PROJECT
Oak Grove Cemetery Association Board of Trustees
Role: Donated 8 plots, providing a permanent home for the Salem Oak seedling
Michelini Family and EB Fence Company
Role: Provided materials and installed beautiful protective fencing around the Salem Oak seedling
Barbara Neary and Dan Bachalis
Role: Provided decorative viewing bench
Hammonton Town Council, especially Councilwoman Renee Rodio, Quality of Life Committee chair; Mayor Stephen DiDonato; Councilman Tom Gribbin, Deputy Mayor; Councilman Sam Rodio; Councilman Jonathan Oliva; Councilman Steven Furgione; Councilman Anthony Marino.
Role: Ongoing support
COMMISSIONS
Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission: Angela Donio, Chairperson; Christine McCullough, Vice Chairperson; Barbara Neary, Recording Secretary; Jack Mazzeo; Marty Matro; Lorraine Chappine; Carol Santora; Jeff Michelini; Ricky Alverio.
Hammonton Environmental Commission: Dan Bachalis, Chairperson; Terri Caruso-Cafiso, Vice Chairperson; Dr. Michael Hozik, PhD; Amy Menzel; Charley Crowley; Chris Bethmann; Ryan Niedoba; Steven Carr; Joseph F. Berenato.
Special Thanks to the Following Key Organizations:
Salem Friends – Robert Simmons
Lenni Lenape Nation – Kevin Street
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs
Noyes Museum – Michael Cagno, Phoebe Farris, Suzanne Reese Horvitz
Special Thanks to the Following Vendors:
Pannier Graphics
Apple Printing Co., Inc.
Pro 1 Signs
The Hammonton Gazette
Casciano Coffee Bar and Sweetery
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs within the Department of State, through funds administered by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
