MEDINA, Ohio -- A leading cemetery preservation expert has nothing but praise for the city’s historic Spring Grove Cemetery.

In mid-September, the Medina Friends of the Cemetery held a membership meeting at the cemetery, during which Paul LaRue -- Ohio Board of Education president and co-chair of the America 250 Ohio K-12 Education Committee -- spoke to a group of about 75 members and guests about cemetery restoration and beautification.

He was introduced by Teresa Merkle, president of the Friends group. Each year, she said she tries to find a speaker who will teach the group something new.

When she Googled “cemetery preservation,” his name came up. He readily agreed to speak to the group.

LaRue began his presentation by saying, “I came early to walk around; you should be proud.”

He s

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