Do you have a suggestion or an idea of something you would like to do to help which isn't on the list? We'd love to hear about it.

Bylaws:

     The leadership team has drafted official by-laws for FHRC which will be posted on the website and mailed to paid members.

Member/Election Meeting:

     The current leadership team is preparing a slate of officers and board members and will seek your vote. The current leadership team volunteered to create FHRC and has been working under a temporary term. Mark your calendar for 6:30 pm Monday night, October 20 at the VFW Hall (313 Brandywine Blvd). If you have not paid your membership dues, you may do so on October 20 prior to the meeting. We welcome your attendance.

Request for Historic Photos:

     You may be familiar with a book, Images of America: Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries - full of black and white photos with captions. Let's replicate the book with a focus on Wilmington city cemeteries. The first step is to collect old historic photos of Riverview Cemetery and ask other city cemeteries to do the same. FHRC will need a volunteer to coordinate this effort. If you are interested or have photos to lend or donate please contact Lee (610) 3881920 or drleeanderson@aol.com.

Tree Planting Grant:

     The Delaware Forest Service awarded the FHRC a tree planting grant. Approximately 30-40 Bare-Root trees will be planted (Spring 2009) on the East side of the cemetery to replace dead and dangerous trees. Staff at the Delaware Center for Horticulture will oversee this project. Volunteers are needed.

Vandalism Update:

     The stolen mausoleum doors were reported in an August issue of USA Today. No further information has been made available by our local police department. Mr. Davis, the current owner, has filed a claim with Nationwide Insurance. FHRC leaders have requested that replacement doors be made of a material less likely to be stolen while maintaining the style of a Victorian Garden cemetery to meet standards for the National Historic Register.

Neighborhood Watch:

     When you are in the area, please drive slowly through the cemetery and report any suspicious activity or missing items to the city police. They have offered to drive through the cemetery and we hope their presence will increase security.

Adopt-A-Plot:

     Let us know the areas that you are beautifying. You may go on our website, find your section on the map and email the information to friendsofficers@gmail.com. You may also look under the mat on the Chapel steps for a map in a plastic sheet. Circle or mark your area and put your name on it.

Clean-up Days:

     The next clean-up day will be on Saturday, September 20th from 9:00 to noon. Bring your family and community groups to help beautify these 87 acres. We will continue to clear fence areas surrounding the cemetery, especially on 31stStreet, Eastlawn Avenue, and Todd Lane.

INTERESTING FACT:

• In May 1873, Riverview Cemetery Company Board of Trustees purchased 222 trees from J.B. Cline a New York nurseryman for $222.00. These trees were planted along the Main Avenue within the cemetery.

Special Thanks This Month To:

• Sgt. Thomas Wassum, Lt. Jeff Hansen, Warden Steve Wesley from the Department of Correction for overseeing and supervising the men at the Plummer House in the care of the cemetery grounds. The entire cemetery grass was cut during the week of August 26, fallen branches and trees were removed, and they joined FHRC during our Saturday clean-up event. We are extremely grateful for their efforts and high quality workmanship.

• Senator Margaret Rose Henry who made state funds available for DOC to continue their partnership with FHRC until July 1, 2009.

• Kate Wilhere placed a new FHRC brochure at every home facing the cemetery and at the McMullen Square and Speakman Place townhomes. The brochures are were a gift to FHRC, designed by Scott MacKenzie and printed by Cann Printing. Look for them around town and on the website.

• Cub Scout Pack #959 from Hockessin beautified a section of the cemetery.

• Richard Sutor has made excellent progress on the burial record transcription project. He brings technical expertise and respect for historical documents to his work. Richard maintains a rigorous pace and has already scanned original burial information from 1912 to 1923. Over 3857 interments are ready for Kay Schorah and Floyd Weber to transcribe into the computerized database.

• Terri Sanginiti put the notice about the August 30 clean-up day in the News Journal. She is a faithful friend to Riverview Cemetery.

• About 50 friends, family members, neighbors did a tremendous clean-up effort on August 30 and had fun working side by side. Be proud of Riverview!

       As always, we are ever thankful to Mike Bonkowski, Delaware Community Foundation, Russ Pickett for being our webmaster, Jim Gish, Members of the VFW Post, and the Leadership team.

  
  

  
  
  The Riverview Cemetery website was created and is maintained by:
  Russ Pickett
  Page Last Updated: 9/7/2008