8 April 2016

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

It was a gorgeous day on Friday for cemetery work with overcast skies and cool temps. Ten of us gathered for the session - plus a reporter from the Press Democrat. The cemetery was in fairly good shape, except for a few more of the sudden oak death trees shedding large limbs and a new incursion of poison oak beginning to spring up.

We started the day probing around the monument base discovered in February (picture 1). Although we found a couple of chunks of granite which may or may not be associated with the base, we did not yet find the top. This effort with the probe will continue again in the area, as well as in other areas of the cemetery where stones are expected to be buried. I am hopeful that this wonderful probe that Regional Parks provided to us will eventually turn up more "finds."

Clark Mason, a reporter with the Press Democrat, joined us on Friday (pictures 2 and 3). His main focus is on Jeremy Nichols and Jeremy's efforts to rescue cemeteries in the area. Much time was spent in touring the cemetery with Clark, pointing out some of the stories associated with many of our stones, and discussing the history of the cemetery. I will let you all know when the article is published.

The cemetery is looking lovely with roses (picture 4), vinca, forget-me-nots, and lilies in bloom. If you haven't had a chance to visit the cemetery in awhile, it is a picturesque time for it. Our next workday will be on June 3rd. Please come and join us. In September we will have completed 10 years of Spring Hill workdays!

Best Regards,

Sue

Attachment #1
Probe and Rack

Attachment #2
Jeremy Nichols with Clark Mason

Attachment #3
Workers, path, and reporter

Attachment #4
Jerry

Attachment #5
Rose

Attachment #6
Truck

Attachment #7
Group