All of us attending our Getzendanner Celebration in Frederick, MD were emotionally moved as we gathered in our family cemetery to rededicate this special shrine. And we were pleased about the visible improvements recently made.
The brush and undergrowth had been removed, the trees crushing the crypt built in 1766 had been removed, a beautiful new granite marker was in place, the hole in the crypt roof was temporarily covered, a nice, new identification sign was up, new grass had been seeded, and we planted two new fir trees. What an improvement!
BUT ALL OF US WERE AWARE OF OBVIOUS REMAINING PROBLEMS:
1. The "Christian Crypt" with a large hole in the roof (into which small boys had crawled and disturbed the skeletal remains) needed to be repaired;
2. The old, rusty cemetery fence and gate, put up new in 1922, was very unattractive;
3. Some of the large trees needed trimming so as not to be a danger to people and graves;
4. The problem of continuing care for the cemetery was a concern.
Financial estimates to meet these needs include:
repair of the "Christian Crypt" --$3,000-to $6,000 (minimal to what would be good);
a new 4 foot chain link fence -- $2,500;
large tree trimming -- $1,000 - $1,200;
continuing care -- to be determined after the other needs are met (it would be good to have a small endowment to provide yearly maintenance funds).
All of this amounts to quite a sum as a number of you expressed to me in Frederick. I told you then that we would get back to all our family and friends this Fall with a FUNDING APPEAL. (I always try to keep my word…ha!)
ENCLOSED IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF RESTORING OUR HISTORIC CEMETERY. OUR PLAN IS SIMPLE.
We are asking that you return the enclosed form letting us know as soon as possible what you plan to contribute. This can be a one time gift or given at convenient times for you. Our Cemetery Committee then should know early in the year about how much money will be available, and can develop plans and secure firm bids for items through the winter months. Thus by Spring/Summer we can hopefully complete restoring our family shrine, and have funds available to pay for the work.
We will need some generous giving to do what is needed. Perhaps several families or a family line might want to be responsible for a specific need or part (quarter or half)of a specific need. Frankly, none of us are wealthy so it will take all of us giving generously to complete these projects.
SO HERE IT IS—YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN ACT AS FAMILY—TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE BEFORE OUR CELEBRATION IN FREDERICK!
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