As you enter Sheffield, heart of the Alleghenies, you’ll drive by a little triangle that separates Route 6 and Main Street. Throughout the seasons, you’ll notice a lovely little flower garden that is tended to by local residents. This garden represents to the town a memorial for a Sheffield girl who passed away much too soon.

Abbey Schmader passed away at 17 in 2018 from cancer and this garden began in her memory. In the middle of the landscaping, you will notice a purple butterfly bush. Purple was her favorite color and the bush is there to attract butterflies to this garden for her.

The triangle also reflects the love of another very special lady, who helped make Sheffield beautiful and full of flowers. Marilyn Anderson passed away in 2023 but her love of this little town continues to bloom with every springtime flower that blooms.

There are flower boxes throughout town that are filled with beautiful flowers that were built by the kids at Taylor Diversions, a youth and family support initiative for at-risk youths that aims to keep them in school and out of the juvenile justice system which is located in the old Sheffield Elementary School. Sheffield residents take charge over these boxes-watering, weeding, and pruning throughout the summer.

Sheffield resident Emily Heeter brought this story and the triangle to my attention. She spoke with compassion and pride as she spoke about the flowers.

“It is maintained by my mom Pamela Pederson and my aunt Cindy Bowley. They care for the triangle with the most respect, filling and carrying 15 milk jugs full of water each week to keep it watered during the summer,” Heeter said. “They have added a bird bath and little blue birds grace it as the weather warms up.”

As I visit Sheffield more, what comes through the most to me is the pride and love that the residents have. Heeter confirms that.

“We definitely have a lot of pride down here. We were crushed by the closing of our school but still proud of our little town.”

Cindy Bowley wanted to thank others in the community for their help. “I would also like to acknowledge the Sheffield Rotary Club, the Cherry Grove Haunted Trail, and the Trudy Kulka family for their monetary contributions and the Sheffield Parks and Recreation Committee for their help in maintaining it and other areas to keep Sheffield beautiful.”

Emily closed our conversations with this “So the next time you come into our little town, take a moment when you’re stopped to remember someone you love and enjoy the flowers welcoming you in.”

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