May, 2009
Superintendent:
Jeff Grover (207) 929-4773 www.southbuxtoncemetery.com
President’s Corner…
Congratulations
to all who survived a long winter and very wet spring! For years, when asked
where we spend the winter, Bev and I have always smiled and said we enjoy the
The 2008/09 winter
was tough at the cemetery as well. Ice
and wind brought down many large limbs that required a lot of extra clean up.
Due to the snow and wet weather, Jeff and Derek, our maintenance team, got a
late start this spring. However, they
did a great job and we were in good physical shape by Memorial Day and also
were able to handle the many spring burials.
Three Year Pruning
Program
With this
newsletter, we are requesting donations to begin a pruning program. The
work will be done by a licensed arborist with proper equipment. The proposed three year program will cost
$3,000 per year, which will put the cemetery’s trees in good safe condition and
better able to handle the rough
.
Stone Cleaning
Isla Estabrook
is back from Florida and anxious to finish a few old stones to complete the
stone cleaning program to which she has donated so much time, effort and heart. It is a great accomplishment and the cemetery
looks much better. Many thanks to Isla!
Future stone cleaning will be available by request for a donation to the
cemetery association of $25 to $100 depending on the size of the stone. Call
Water Supply
We have been
hampered this year by several water pipe breaks. On the advice of our plumber, Paul Berry, we
decided to replace a badly deteriorated steel pipe water line. The work is nearly finished. As of today, 160 psi thick wall pvc tubing
was installed from the well house to the fence next to
Mowing Donation
Last fall the
mower engine of our primary mower was causing problems. New rings and valves got us through to the
end of the mowing season. This spring a
grant was requested from the Narragansett Number One Foundation. SBCA was awarded $2,360 dollars for a new
engine to keep the mower humming. We
would like to extend many thanks to Narragansett Number One for their continued
and generous support.
Another
maintenance item addressed was our tool shed.
A new garage door was installed on the tool shed this past June. It now looks and works much better.
News from the Proprietors Annual
Meeting
Congratulations
and welcome to the SBCA board to Louis (Lou) Emery, our newest director. Lou brings many years of construction
knowledge and management to our board. Our returning directors this year are
Chad Poitras and Barbara Elwell.
Ron
Smith, RHR Smith and Company, CPAs, has accepted the Treasurer’s position.
Ron’s office is nearby at Tory Hill. He
brings many skills and knowledge which will be a great benefit to the cemetery
association.
Maintenance of Small Trees and Shrubs
Some shrubs
are overgrowing the stones. We will trim
them were possible or remove them if they are invading the adjacent stones or
lots. Some have been damaged by years of
deer evasion. To keep up the cemetery,
our Superintendent will start pulling or cutting shrubs and trees that are a distraction.
Should any of these conditions concern you, please contact Jeff Grover to
discuss specific trees or shrubs. We
plan to commence this project in July.
Please remember that no shrubs or trees are allowed without the consent
of the superintendent.
Mowing
Glass objects and stones are a danger to our employees and visitors when
mowing and trimming. Please be sure to
remove these items when you find them at your lot, or in your travels around
the cemetery.
Dates of Interest
Community Days……..
Spirit Walk…………….October 24, 2009
Wreaths across
Next directors meeting………….September 15,
2009 @
Donations
Please
consider donations to the cemetery for our improvement programs. (See attached form) FMI…See http://www.southbuxtoncemetery.com/
for more information.
Thank you for your continued support of
our cemetery and our ongoing programs.
Richard (
Donation &
Newsletter Worksheet
Donation Opportunities
Why
are we always asking you for money? Well, SBCA is
basically self-supporting. It receives a
very appreciated, but nominal amount of money from the town that helps with the
upkeep of the veteran, and pauper lots; otherwise, the money we receive from
the sale of the lots is supposed to cover our operating expenses. With the cost of everything going up (gas,
fertilizers, equipment, labor and so forth), it is getting more and more
difficult to make the numbers work.
Also, many families are opting for cremation, presently we allow Four
cremations per lot resulting in less
Memorial
Day Donation: (I realize that summer is in full swing, but
many folks like to make a donation in memory of someone, so we left this
opportunity in at this late date; these memorial donations are posted on our
web-site.)
Amount: ____ $35____ $50____ $100 ______Other
Donation is
made in memory of:
_______________________________________________________
Adopt-a-Tree
Program: This
beneficial plan offers you the opportunity to adopt an existing adult tree and
provide it with tender loving care for the next five years.
Each of the adopted trees will be
fertilized, have its lower limbs trimmed, be cultivated and have cedar bark
mulch placed around the trunk. We will
also install a marker in the memory of a loved one or as a thank you to you for
your generous gift. You can select the
tree yourself or have a volunteer choose one for you.
Adoptions are for a commitment of
five years, with two options for contributions.
You may pledge $100 per year for the next five years or make one
donation in the amount of $500. Your
participation in this program would aid the Board with needed funding, help to
extend the life of a tree and also lend us a helping hand in beautifying the cemetery.
Amount: _____ $500; or ______$100 per year for the
next 5 years
Pruning
Program: As mentioned earlier in this
newsletter, the board is beginning a pruning program. The
work will be done by a licensed arborist with proper equipment. The proposed three year program will cost
$3,000 per year, which will put the cemetery’s trees in good safe condition and
better able to handle the rough
Amount: _____$50 _____$100 _____ $500 ______other
General
fund: I just would like to donate the
following to the SBCA, with no “where to be used” restrictions; you may use my
donation as necessary to maintain the cemetery.
Amount: _____$35 _____$50 _____ $100 ______other
General
information needed when submitting a donation:
Name:_____________________________________ Phone No: _______________________
Address:
__________________________________
Email Address: __________________
__________________________________
I do ______ do not _____ want my
name listed on the web-site as a financial donor. (no amount to be listed, just that you donated
and to what)
Please make checks payable to
& mail to:
Bar
Buxton
Community Day: Join us at Buxton Community Days, July 24th
and 25th, the festival opens at
Dorcas
Society Annual Fair
and Lawn Party is on Saturday, 25th, from 9:00 – 3:00 at the
intersection of Rte 202 and Rte 112; to include: raffles, backed goods, attic
treasures, high end consignment booth, crafts and the Royal Brewster Barn will
be open all day.
Revolutionary War Encampment and living
history demonstrations will be available throughout the day.
Some information about us
Fax number:
Email
address: sales@southbuxtoncemetery.com
Website: www.southbuxtoncemertery.com
If you have attended a military funeral during which taps was played, this brings new meaning…
Here
is something every American should know. Until I read this, I did not know the
story behind the tune, but, according to the email I received, it is true. I am
not sure where it originated, nor am I positive about it’s authenticity, but I
thought it was worth sharing, as it touched me.
We in the
Reportedly, it all began in 1862
during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men
near
During the night, Captain Ellicombe
heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing
if it was a
The Captain lit a lantern and
suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw
the face of the soldier. It was his own
son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.
Without telling his father, he had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, the father,
heartbroken, asked permission from his superiors to give his son a full
military burial, despite his enemy status, His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a
funeral dirge for his son at the funeral, but the request was turned down since
the soldier was a Confederate. However, out of respect for the father, they did
say they would give him one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked
the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper
in the pocket of the dead youths uniform.
The wish was granted and thus was
born the tradition of playing the haunting melody of “Taps” at military
funerals.
I too
have felt chills while listening to ‘Taps’ but, I have never seen all the words
to the song below until now. I did not know there was more than one verse.
‘Taps’
One Two Three
Day is done Fading Light Thanks and praise
Gone the sun Dims
the sight For our days
From the lakes And a
star ‘Neath the sun
God is nigh Falls the night God is nigh
From the hills Gems
the sky ‘Neath the stars
From the sky
Gleaming bright ‘Neath the sky
All is well From afar As we go
Safely rest Drawing nigh This we know
Remember with me in
gratitude those lost and injured while serving their country. Remember with me those
who have served and returned and those presently serving in the Armed Forces
everywhere.
Sandy
Atkinson, President