Grave Concerns: The Cleanups

Written by Alan Clarke.

The EG Historic Cemetery Cleanup Season got off to a good start last Saturday. Volunteers assembled at the Cedar Avenue cemeteries and there wasn't much to do at that location — mostly leaves and we will be having more leaves in the coming weeks. No doubt about that. So not wanting to lose momentum, we all went out to the Davis Lot on Sleepy Hollow Road off Route 2 in Sun Valley.

This was the nightmare lot we tried to clean last fall but it was too overgrown and we lost a couple of volunteers in the weeds and briars. They did find their way out when we banged a tin pot so they could get direction from the sound. Briars took their toll, however, their wounds have healed now and they are back for more. This year, not so bad. No injuries but we remind everyone to check for ticks when back in the privacy of home.

We got a good start and the part we hacked up last year was easily brought down to ground level. The neighbors were pleased we were there and came out to cheer us on, offering water and bathroom facilities. The cemetery lot kept getting wider, though, as we found more and more graves the farther we went north into the weeds. Uncovering a nest of yellow jackets stymied our zeal a bit but no one was stung. All in all, a successful day's work and one more week there should finish that one up. Everyone was energetic and cheerful, a good bunch of people and a job well done. Thanks to all. And thanks to our local Benny's store for donating a package of large grass bags to the cause. 

We just do not have the right tools for rolling back those briars. I suspect that such a thing exists and it is called a brush hog but so far Craig's List hasn't turned one up. Things will go much easier once we have one. Go look in your garage or barn. There must be one out there somewhere, perhaps not functional due to this awful corn-augmented gasoline we have to use. We can fix that! Call 663-6442 if you find one.

Tomorrow, Saturday, weather permitting, will hopefully find us back there to finish that graveyard up. Maybe not perfect, but a good start. Anyone wishing to join in will find us on Sleepy Hollow Road, high on the bank to the left just after the first curve.