Local Landscapers Dig Deep and Give Back to Caldwell

By Diane Lilli

This is one time beauty is not skin deep.
A trio of volunteers who are taking off precious time from their busy season are kick starting a local beautification project in Caldwell.
Rick Ventola, Kevin Macken and James Haas are all up to their necks in dirt every day, but as local landscapers, are not afraid to give back to their community.

Though the summer heat may be stifling, it would take a lot more than a heat wave to stop these 3 guys. After all, they're on a mission.
"We are putting up brackets and baskets of flowers onto 35 light posts all along Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell," said Ventola, as he and Macken took a fast break from the heat to enjoy a lemonade at Rockin' Joes.
The three landscapers, though all in competition for local and non-local jobs, work well together.
"We work together all the time," noted Macken. "We also take care of the traffic islands in West Caldwell."
But this week, this dynamic trio is setting up the
colorful baskets of flowers donated by Caldwell's Project Main Street, a non-profit organization run by local residents.
"It's good to give back to our town," added Ventola.
Project Main Street, via fundraising, raised the money to buy brackets, baskets and flowers for display all along Bloomfield Avenue.
And, thinking ahead, they also reached to have these 3 landscapers install and then maintain the 35 plants.
Not only will the installation of the plants be free, so too will the watering.
"If you had to pay for the brackets and baskets being installed, and the maintainence and watering, it might cost a few thousand dollars," said Ventola.
If you would like to support these local landscapers, who truly embody the spirit of community service, give them a holler.
And, if you'd like to participate in Project Main Street's local efforts to help Caldwell thrive, email them at Projectmainst@gmail.com.
As a resident here in Caldwell, I am deeply grateful for the volunteerism that is not only alive but prospering in our midst.
R.VENTOLA LANDSCAPING: (973) 809-3328
K.MACKEN LANDSCAPING: (973) 261-0198
JAMES HAAS LANDSCAPING: (973) 650-8610

Two local volunteers take a break from their outdoor work on a hot day in Caldwell. From left to right: Rick Ventola of R.Ventola Landscaping and Kevin Macken of K.Macken Landscaping.