Staff Report

DEMOPOLIS – The Historic Riverside Cemetery Committee is in need of a few good hands.

A clean-up and work day has been planned for 8 a.m. Oct. 13 in the cemetery.

Two years ago the committee was able to make many improvements including new plantings, moving dead trees, pruning and weeding. The general comments have been very positive, committee members said.

This summer, a new project was started. The committee is developing a privately-owned open area adjacent to the cemetery to beautify the old cemetery and, hopefully, to minimize vandalism.

The goals of the Historic Riverside Cemetery Committee are:

1. To beautify Historic Riverside Cemetery

2. To solicit funds for beautification.

3. To encourage personal lot work (repair and paint fences).

4. To encourage community work (volunteer work days).

(On-going maintenance is NOT a goal or responsibility of the committee.)

“We are grateful to Mayor Austin Caldwell, former horticulturist Amanda Smith and new horticulturalist Linda Teaford for their support and assistance,” said Louise Reynolds, one of the committee members.

The City of Demopolis Cemetery Board, the City of Demopolis Beautification Commission and the Historic Riverside Cemetery Beautification Committee are sponsoring this event.

“We need every hand available. There will be something for anyone to do. Please bring your drinks, lunch, sharp hand tools, chain saws, pole cutters, rakes, shovels, and work gloves. You do not have to have loved ones buried there to help,” she said.

Those with loved ones buried in the cemetery are asked to remove fading and/or shedding artificial flowers and vases to assist in the clean-up efforts.

Other members are Kitty Eddins and Bobby Coker.