The Saturday, September 22, cemetery workshop at the Mahalasville Cemtery was a success; no, it was a great success! We had approximately 25 persons in attendance, including one of our 14 Township Trustees. The reason the workshop was so successful were two; Walt and Micki Walters. I met Walt and Micki at the cemetery Saturday morning. My only comment was look the cemtery over and choose what you want to work with that will demonstrate what the attendees should know about restoring tombstones. We toured the cemetery. Walt marked the stones that were needing attention with plastic ribbons. The material that Walt needed to work with was put in place. In determining what we should use for demonstration purposes, we found that some of the clumps of Yuccas, bushes, trees, etc. were in fact hiding a tombstone. I then had my son Andy bring the John Deere and the wagon to the cemetery; along with his chainsaw, weed-eater, and loping shears. We then proceeded to let the sun shine totally and brightly on three stones that were in need of repair. [There were no chain saw or weed-eater marks on any of the three stones when we were finished.] Our program started at 1:00 P. M. The workshop commenced and the attendees started asking questions! By 4:00 some of the attendees had left. By 6:00 four of us were still working in the cemetery. [Well actually 3 were working. I had managed to aggravate some tendons and ligaments in my right arm and the nerves in my left rib cage to the point that I wasn't really of much use by then. I had also managed to sunburn the top of my head.] AND THEN--Walt and Micki decided they would come back today. They hadn't gotten everything done that they wanted to. They were back today. The thunder heads started rolling in about 4:00. We packed Walt and Micki's equipment before the rains came. AND THEN--Walt and Micki decided they would come back next Saturday in order to finish two repairs that needed new bases. Words really can't describe the knowledge and interest that Walt and Micki have in caring for and restoring tombstones and their interest in doing everything they can do in restoring the cemeteries in Indiana. We people of Indiana are very fortunate to have Walt and Micki amongst us and willing to do what they do. Thank you Walt and Micki for what you are accomplishing and trying to help people accomplish, in restoring our pioneer cemeteries! Several of the attendees were taking notes all day. We intend to make this information available in the next issue of "Morgan County History and Genealogy." For those of you attending the October 6 seminar in Madison--enjoy and learn. We also obtained signatures for "the petition" and I will be mailing those out by mid-week. Sam Cline Morgan County Historian http://www.hoosierweb.org/ The candle light will always be gleaming through the sycamores. The latch string is always out.

To Sam: Thanks for a great summary! It was, indeed, a terrific day on Saturday. I was one of the ones who had to leave by 4, and was then so thrilled to hear that Walt and Micki were coming back on Sunday, even though I couldn't make it back. And now to find out they're coming back AGAIN this Saturday!! This is wonderful! I'll be there!! And to Walt and Micki: Words can't express how much we appreciate your efforts, both in Mahalasville Cemetery and also in your work in general to preserve our pioneer heritage. But, even so, here's one ... THANKS! I'll see you all on Saturday. Dale Drake MCHGA Cemetery Committee Sam Cline wrote: > The Saturday, September 22, cemetery workshop at the Mahalasville > Cemtery was a success; no, it was a great success! > > We had approximately 25 persons in attendance, including one of our 14 > Township Trustees. > > The reason the workshop was so successful were two; Walt and Micki > Walters. > > I met Walt and Micki at the cemetery Saturday morning. My only > comment was look the cemtery over and choose what you want to work > with that will demonstrate what the attendees should know about > restoring tombstones. We toured the cemetery. Walt marked the stones > that were needing attention with plastic ribbons. The material that > Walt needed to work with was put in place. > > In determining what we should use for demonstration purposes, we found > that some of the clumps of Yuccas, bushes, trees, etc. were in fact > hiding a tombstone. I then had my son Andy bring the John Deere and > the wagon to the cemetery; along with his chainsaw, weed-eater, and > loping shears. We then proceeded to let the sun shine totally and > brightly on three stones that were in need of repair. [There were no > chain saw or weed-eater marks on any of the three stones when we were > finished.] > > Our program started at 1:00 P. M. The workshop commenced and the > attendees started asking questions! By 4:00 some of the attendees had > left. By 6:00 four of us were still working in the cemetery. [Well > actually 3 were working. I had managed to aggravate some tendons and > ligaments in my right arm and the nerves in my left rib cage to the > point that I wasn't really of much use by then. I had also managed to > sunburn the top of my head.] > > AND THEN--Walt and Micki decided they would come back today. They > hadn't gotten everything done that they wanted to. They were back > today. The thunder heads started rolling in about 4:00. We packed > Walt and Micki's equipment before the rains came. > > AND THEN--Walt and Micki decided they would come back next Saturday in > order to finish two repairs that needed new bases. > > Words really can't describe the knowledge and interest that Walt and > Micki have in caring for and restoring tombstones and their interest > in doing everything they can do in restoring the cemeteries in > Indiana. We people of Indiana are very fortunate to have Walt and > Micki amongst us and willing to do what they do. > > Thank you Walt and Micki for what you are accomplishing and trying to > help people accomplish, in restoring our pioneer cemeteries! > > Several of the attendees were taking notes all day. We intend to make > this information available in the next issue of "Morgan County History > and Genealogy." > > For those of you attending the October 6 seminar in Madison--enjoy and > learn. > > We also obtained signatures for "the petition" and I will be mailing > those out by mid-week. > > Sam Cline > Morgan County Historian > http://www.hoosierweb.org/ > The candle light will always be gleaming through the sycamores. > The latch string is always out. > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > "Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you have." > Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)