Cemetery maintenance and workshop planned for April
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
March 25, 2016
Fast Facts:
- Free workshop design to help communities maintain cemeteries
- Contact Dallas County Cooperative Extension Service office
(267 words)
THORNTON, Ark. — Arkansans wishing to learn how to best maintain and preserve local cemeteries are invited to attend a free workshop, organized by theUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, April 18 in Thornton.
Keith Greshum, Dallas County Cooperative Extension Service staff chair, said the workshop will offer community members tips on how to keep small cemeteries looking beautiful and well cared for even in tough economic times.
“With today’s economic situation, many cemeteries are struggling to maintain and make improvements to their cemetery grounds,” Gresham said. “Our workshop is intended to help make people aware of the best practices in maintaining cemeteries, proper cleaning and repair techniques for headstones, cemetery safety, fire ant abatement and fence row herbicide procedures.”
Gresham said he and Holly Hope, with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, will be on hand to teach workshop attendees best practices for cemetery maintenance. Hope is responsible for researching and writing National Register and National Historic Landmark nominations.
Program topics include:
- Best practices for maintaining and surveying cemeteries
- Proper cleaning and repair of headstones
- New cemetery grant opportunities
- Hands-on exercises at the cemetery site
- Fire ant abatement and fence row herbicide use demonstrations
Take-home reference materials will be provided.
The workshop will be held Monday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the Chambersville Volunteer Fire Department, located at 17168 Clahoun 72 in Thornton. This is also the location of the Chambersville Cemetery.
Those planning to attend the workshop should contact the Dallas County Cooperative Extension Service office at 870-352-3505 so that organizers can provide enough take-home materials for everyone.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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