The Mayor's Blue Ribbon Cemetery Committee of Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Chairman’s Message
It’s been a horrible winter followed by an equally depressing spring, but spring has sprung and hopefully, a wonderful summer is just around the corner. In the meantime, our subcommittees have spent a productive period of time bringing us into 2005.
In the past two years, an impressive amount of work has been done on restorations in the four ancient burial grounds and the work continues. Roger Syphers, Glenn Knoblock and Judy Nerbonne have reported on the work on the Wendell Family crypt in Pleasant Street Cemetery, some of which suffered the ravages of winter and will need some additional repair. Relatives have contributed $700 to the work already done and no further work will be done until the relatives involved have been contacted as to their wishes.
First and foremost of the issues discussed by the subcommittees for cemeteries was the mattter of having Roger work entirely on the rear of the North Burial Ground before proceeding with restoration work in other locations. This work will consist of straightening/resetting about 100-150 gravestones. An undetermined number will require some form of repair. Roger estimates that North can be finished this year and will start work as soon as weather permits.
Judy Nerbonne, Dick Adams annd Glenn Knoblock have been meeting with others in the historical community on signage for the four cemeteries. Wording for signs has been discussed and refined as well as photos to appear on signage. The company to be used is Folia and their work can be seen on Peirce Island. Four signs will be erected, one each for North, Point of Graves, Pleasant Street and Union. With the outstanding assistance of Nancy Carmer at City Hall, the committee applied for and received a $5,000 grant for the project from the Greater Piscataqua Foundation.
The Education Committee has spent a productive off-season presenting slide lectures at the Wentworth Home and the Middle Street Baptist Church. After the success of “Spirits 2004, Bringing the Dead to Life,” I placed notices in the local press for role-players, reenactors annd lecturers. The response was so impressive that the 14 programs of 2004 has grown to 33 for 2005. The schedule which starts June 8 with Charles Doleac speaking in the Point of Graves on the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty, with the PNS as his backdrop.
I would like to acknowledge the generous support of our backers particularly the Sheraton Harborside, Northeast Auctions and Ronald Bourgeault, the Verne J. Wood Funeral Home, the Farrell Funeral Home, St. Andrews and St. Johns Masonic Lodges, Senator and Mrs. Judd Gregg, Martha Fuller Clark, the Lyons Law Office, Bettencourt Chiropractic, Citizens Bank, Mainely Gourmet and all who have seen fit to aid in our endeavors.
I was particularly impressed with wording in the accompanying letter from the Sheraton’s VP and General Manager Shari Young who wrote, “It is with great pleasure that we inform you of our ability to participate in your organization’s extremely worthwhile project. We are both honored and pleased that you have considered us for involvement.”
Back at City Hall, Nancy Carmer has again come to our aid in formulating a grant application for money from the Moose Plate Fund for installation of three benches in North.
Respectfully submitted,
Audrey Bierhans
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