4 April 2008

Dear Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,

We had a very productive work day yesterday in the sunshine at Spring Hill.  Highlights included the return of two or our newly repaired headstones, completion of headstone cleaning, collection and removal of yet another dump truck's worth of debris, and the start of the rebuilding effort on the Zilhart enclosure.  I have two requests -- one for thank you notes to be sent to our headstone repairer, and a second for a volunteer to protect headstones on April 24th during tree cutting.  With all of the above, much was accomplished and arranged yesterday.

Keziah Finley and DPV Ogan's repaired headstones have returned to the Cemetery.  These were the first two stones sent out for repair, and I was anxiously awaiting the results.  Glen of Regional Parks picked them up for us and reinstalled them at Spring Hill yesterday.  Gary Galeazzi of North Bay Monument Company volunteered his time and expertise and performed miracles on our two damaged stones.  I have attached a before and after picture of Keziah - she had been in 6 pieces, and was in very poor condition.  The change is incredible.  Gary obviously spent much time and care on the repair.  For 3 generations Gary's company has been in the stone working business - these days doing a lot of custom marble and stone work for kitchens and bathrooms in addition to monument work.  We have MANY more stones to bring to Gary, and I would like to show him as much appreciation for his efforts as possible.  If individual "Friends" send notes, thanking him for his invaluable work for Spring Hill, I think he might get a feel for what his generosity means to us.  A thank you note can be sent to:

Gary Galeazzi

159 A Cascade Ct

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

For another milestone, Jerry Lites completed cleaning all of our stones.  If you haven't yet had a chance to see them, I think you will be delighted with the results.  THANK YOU; TO JERRY FOR THE CLEANING EFFORT, AND TO THE MCDOWELLS WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY SHARED THEIR WATER!!

Dick Giberti, a meticulous and skilled engineer, is tackling the Zilhart enclosure for us. At yesterday's work party he measured and removed the enclosure. He will rebuild it at his home, using as much of the original materials as is practical and possible. When finished, it will be brought back and installed in its original position. I am looking forward to the unveiling, and will be giving updates as the task progresses.

We had a good turnout yesterday - 13 volunteers and 2 regional parks workers. Our main clean up focus was on the Finley enclosure, removing mounds of debris in order to restore Keziah to her usual spot. Additionally, much progress was made in tidying Robertson/Parmeter row. Patsy, Jeremy, Sally, Evelyn, Rae, Caroline, Arden, Edith, Jean and Larry completely filled the dump truck by noon.

The last bit of news concerns Spring Hill's dead trees.  Sonoma County Regional Parks has contracted to have 15 of the dead trees removed (mostly tan oaks, killed by Sudden Oak Death).  Unfortunately, many of these dead trees are precariously close to our treasured stones.  The first time Regional Parks contracted to have trees removed, the tree cutting crew was unsupervised.  Two of our stones were damaged, and the cemetery was left looking like a hurricane had struck it.  We and Regional Parks want to try to prevent a repeat of that disaster.  Parks are sending a crew on tree cutting day whose main job is to further cut and remove the downed trees left by the tree service (to avoid the "hurricane" effect).  Jeremy Nichols has generously volunteered to be at Spring Hill  on tree cutting day representing the "Friends" interests in protecting the stones.  We need at least one additional "spotter" to ensure the monuments are protected.  If you can possibly help with this, please let me know.  The tree service company is  tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 24th.  The service plans to complete their activities in one day, which means it will probably be all day.  Additionally, the next work day is set for Friday, April 25th.  I am hoping for a good turnout, so that we can set all in order following the tree removal.

I look forward to seeing those that can make it on April 25th. It is a delight joining with you all, and with Regional Parks, in our efforts to restore the cemetery. Many, many thanks for all the support.