South Buxton Cemetery Association
PO Box 404, Bar Mills, Maine 04004 (207)929-6495
ratkin5850@aol.com www.southbuxtoncemetery.com
Fall 2017
From the President’s Desk
When you receive this update, November will be upon us! As
you all know there are many responsibilities in maintaining a
cemetery. Care of the grass is a large part, other projects
include maintenance and repair of water lines, roads, trees
and shrubs. The many old trees in our cemetery require yearly
maintenance, most of which is performed by a licensed tree
specialist. Keeping the South Buxton Cemetery beautiful
requires support from many parties. The support shown by
the Town of Buxton toward the maintenance of veterans’ lots
is greatly appreciated. Generous contributions from people
like you are critical toward maintaining our cemetery. I send a
huge “thank you” to all!
Sandy Atkinson
President, SBCA
Friends of South Buxton Cemetery
“To beautify and improve the cemetery and to bring our
endowment fund to a healthy level”
Please consider a donation in memory of a loved one or as
thanks for genealogy research. Your contributions allow us to
continually upgrade the special projects that make The South
Buxton Cemetery attractive. An anonymous donor recently
contributed 10,000 daffodil bulbs. These bulbs have been
planted near the columbarium and throughout the cemetery.
Thank you to Nancy Kneeland, Malcolm Washburn, Nancy
Connolly, Jeff and Tammy Grover, Jacqui Webber, Jan Hill,
Nick Pinkham, Peter Pinkham and Sandy and Bev Atkinson for
planting all these bulbs! We look forward to the bright cheery
colors in the spring!
Our major project this year is to continue the historic black
iron fence in the last three sections on Route 112. The
fabricator, Ed Lavigne is committed to duplicating the original
fence as nearly as is practical. This project should be
completed in the spring. We are extremely fortunate to have
Calvin and Marianne Reynolds sponsor this project. They
have committed $10,000 for the fence completion. Calvin a
nd Marianne have been substantial supporters of the SBCA
for many years. Thank You. Thank You. I am sure there are
more of you who would like to take part in enhancing SBC
. Give us the financial help and we will find the projects. Your
suggestions are appreciated.
Decorations
Remember, when planting flowers at upright monuments,
please plant within 14 inches out from stone. Please
remember that shepherds’ hooks are not allowed. Small
stones are also prohibited. They can get picked up by weed
whacking equipment and become dangerous projectiles.
Please remember to remove decorations by November 1st and before April 1st. Wreaths placed by SBCA will be removed in
March.
Meditation
The fast-paced culture of today discourages us from taking
the time to reflect on much of anything, but a death, especially
that of a loved one, whether it is family or a close friend,
encourages us to do just that. In years past, deaths were
treated with dignity, ceremony and more traditional burial
practices, but today that has largely changed.
Times are different now, the manner in which deaths are
observed has changed and many people choose crematio
n over casket, but some practices are so worth keeping, not
only to honor the deceased, but to bring comfort to those who
mourn. In our lifetimes we have seen the trend from visiting
hours, generally the day before, and then the funeral, followed
by a procession to the cemetery with graveside services,
followed by a reception where fellowship was enjoyed and
memories were shared. Today many opt for no service
gathering whatsoever, or a graveside service only-perhaps
private for family only. Visiting hours and a service, no matter
what your denomination calls it, are opportunities for grieving
, for closure They are opportunities for people to ask the big
questions about life, death and their own mortality, which can
be haunting, especially for older folks. It is a structured way of
facing the natural fear of death and affirming the fact that the
soul of the deceased is still with us -that we will be united one
day, however that may be.
It is also important that we take time to arrange military
honors for our veterans who gave so much to the country, and
police and fire department honors for those who provided
public service. All of the above honor who the person was in
life, and is one final way to show Love.
Alyson O. Curry
Pastor, First Congregational Church
of Buxton
Wreaths Across America
Saturday December 16, 2017
11:30 AM
The South Buxton Cemetery Association presents our 11th
year participation in the Wreaths Across America ceremony.
This program to honor our veterans will take place at the
South Buxton Cemetery (Woodman Section) at 11:30 AM. The
Woodman section of the cemetery is located on Woodman
Road at Tory Hill Corner (intersection of 202 & 112 Bar Mills).
Last year our WAA program was held in a snow storm. Despite
the frigid and wet weather, the ceremony was very well
attended and one of the most colorful and emotional to date.
We placed wreaths on all veterans located at South Buxton
Cemetery. A successful wreath donation year was attributed
to our ongoing program, dedication of all the participants, our
members, friends, and a large donation of 225 wreaths from
the Sanford Springvale Fish and Game Protection
Association. A special thanks to the Buxton Fire Department
for presenting the colors and to the Bonny Eagle High School
choral group’s stirring performance. We also appreciate Jim
Libby’s reflections during his address to the audience. Please
join us this year as we honor those who served.
