Forty Year Old Tradition On Life Support
By Mike Dougherty
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- The planting of the cherry trees along Chapel Avenue in Cherry Hill is a tradition that dates back to 1972. Today, the project is in danger of extinction as the man who started it is nearly 80-years-old.
The sun shines brightly on Joe Zanghi and two of his buddies from high school as they plant new trees and tie yellow ribbons to mature ones. Firefighters in the town also help out with planting, but as far as volunteers go, it was just Joe and his nearly 80-year-old friends this year.
Zanghi started doing this in 1973, and he is worried this tradition is dying.
"My time is running out." Said Zanghi, "I'm very limited looking forward. It's not complete, there's empty spaces that have to be filled out."
He hopes someone who shares his passion for the community will step up and carry the torch.
"It took 42 years to reach this point in time. We managed to plant 1,482 cherry trees so far."
Cherry Hill resident and county freeholder Jeff Nash says he appreciates Zanghi's hard work and dedication. Nash plans to contact Zanghi about coming up with a solution to keep the tradition alive.
