21 November 2014

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

The last few days in Sebastopol have been wet ones. Yesterday morning we found a drippy cemetery with some ground fog; very atmospheric (see first two attachments). Luckily the rains stopped for us, and we had damp and cool conditions for our workday. We were a small group - just five of us, but enough of us to clean up the paths (third attachment) and to get the cemetery ready for winter.

To address the needs of visiting descendants for finding their related burial, we have long had discussions on installing an informational display at the cemetery. In working with Regional Parks, Jeremy obtained approval to place a navigational map on the back of our wooden Spring Hill Cemetery sign at the entrance to the property. Paul Schoch crafted a detailed map of the cemetery for us, and I took that map and added paths and comments to make it easier for visitors to navigate by. Using the revised map and the current list of Spring Hill burials, Jeremy has created a laminated copy for the cemetery (see attachment 4). Jeremy will install a Plexiglas frame to the back of the Spring Hill sign to house the new map and legend. It will not be visible from the road as was requested by Regional Parks, but visitors entering the cemetery will be able to use it. Many thanks, Jeremy, for all your work on this.

The cemetery continues to be very good shape. We took our parting group shot in front of Florence May Lavender's newly discovered headstone (uncovered by Arden last month). The cemetery elf had been by in the month since our discovery, and reset the stone into its base. Thanks, Brad!

I have been in contact with Regional Parks, and have requested the following 2015 Spring Hill work dates:

February 20

April 24

June 19

August 21

November 20

I will send a further email when our dates have been accepted, but I am assuming our next workday with be February 20, 2015. I hope to see you at the cemetery!

Wishing you and yours a spectacular holiday season,

Sue

Attachment #1
Foggy Cemetery

Attachment #2
McReynolds Row

Attachment #3
Tricia and Rick

Attachment #4
Map: Legend

Attachment #5
Group