Riverview Cemetery

P.O. Box 2173
Wilmington, DE 19899

" December 1, 2008 "

     Welcome to the FHRC News - a monthly update to keep you informed and involved in the restoration and preservation of Riverview Cemetery. The transfer of the cemetery to FHRC will occur before the end of 2008. We will issue a press release when the transfer is complete.

     Beginning in 2009, due to cost, the newsletter will be mailed only to MEMBERS (who do not have email). To keep your newsletter coming by regular mail, please join before December 31, 2008.

Elected Officers and Board Members:

  • Lee Anderson - President
  • Cheryl Markiewicz - Vice President
  • Lee Anderson - Acting Secretary
  • Kate Wilhere - Treasurer
  • James Hanby - Board Member

     The Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery incorporated with the State of Delaware on April 17, 2008.   Our checking account is with the Wilmington Trust Bank.   The Delaware Community Foundation located on the web at "www.delcf.org", provides our 501c (3) non-profit status and is our source for saving and investing money for perpetual care.   The FHRC application for our own 501c/3 was mailed on November 10, 2008.


MEMBERSHIP:

     Join before the end of 2008 and you will be recognized as a "FOUNDING MEMBER of FHRC".   To join, you must fill out a membership form (at the end of this newsletter and on the website) and pay dues. Your membership will last until December 2009; and from that time forward it will be renewable on a yearly basis. Your membership allows you to vote and receive the newsletter. If you would like to apply to become a Board Member or serve on a committee, please call Cheryl 239-7842 or contact friendsofficers@gmail.com.

     Every person is needed to restore and preserve Riverview Cemetery. If you are able to help, please contact us. Below are a few areas to consider:

  • Maintenance & Grounds
  • Landscape Beautification & Tree Planting
  • Renovation of Chapel
  • Fundraising
  • Publicity
  • Endowment
  • Community Outreach
  • Education Tours
  • Membership Database
  • Research for National Historic Register
  • Computerize Burial Database
  • Inventory of Veterans

         Do you have a suggestion not on the list? We'd love to hear about it.


    Partnerships:

         We want to increase our volunteer partnerships with homeowner associations, churches, schools, rotaries, and other community groups who may be interested in the restoration and preservation of Riverview Cemetery. If you have a contact person within these groups, please make them aware of the Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery and notify one of the officers at friendsofficers@gmail.com.


    Need for Signs:

         Once the cemetery transfer is complete, the officers would like to post signs at all three gates so the community will know that Riverview Cemetery is under new management. The signs will have our web site address and information on how to contact the officers. We are seeking donations for these signs. Do you know anyone in the sign business who might be able to help?


    Chapel Committee:

         The FHRC officers and the board plans to tour the chapel before the end of the year. If you would like to serve on a building usage and renovation committee please contact friendsofficers@gmail.com.


    Riverview Cemetery: Reading the Stones - A Collection of Memories from the First State:

         Is now available during December for $15.00 (half price). Contact Lee Anderson at drleeanderson@aol.com or call (610) 388-1920 to place your order and mail your payment to 260 Kennett Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. Free shipping.


    Clean-up Days:

         The clean-up on November 22 was cancelled due to snow covered ground and very cold winds. No further outdoor projects are scheduled at this time.


    Veteran Inventory:

         Take a look at our wonderful new page here on the website. If you have names to add, please contact Tedd Cocker at teecee62@comcast.net


    Request for Historic Photos:

         We are collecting old historic photos of Riverview Cemetery. If you have any photographs you are willing to share, please mail them, or copies of them, to the address at the top of this newsletter. If you would like to coordinate this project, contact Lee (610) 388-1920 or email her at drleeanderson@aol.com.


    Tree Planting Grant:

         Mark your 2009 calendar for March 21 and be part of the tree planting project. The Delaware Center for Horticulture will oversee this project.


    Neighborhood Watch:

         When you are in the area, drive slowly through the cemetery and report any suspicious activity or missing items to the city police. By report of a member, several homeless people are sleeping at Riverview and one received medical attention in October.


    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.


    INTERESTING FACT:

    • Did you know that Riverview Cemetery had burials on Sundays until the late 1920s? They stopped Sunday burials when Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery and Silverbrook Cemetery also agreed to do so.


    Special Thanks This Month To:

    • Kate Wilhere, our Treasurer and retired CPA, devoted countless hours to complete the application so that FHRC can have its own non-profit status.

    • Lee Anderson, who writes this newsletter and keeps everything running smoothly and on time.

    • Andy Aerenson, real estate attorney, continues to help FHRC prepare for Settlement. We greatly appreciate his expertise and integrity.

    • Don Elrod, from AES Surveyors, who will assist FHRC with a better understanding of the cemetery property boundaries.

    • The Department of Correction Plummer Center and the City of Wilmington Department of Public Works are keeping the cemetery clean as debris accumulates from volunteer work projects.

    • Cheryl and Bob Markiewicz continue to read original documents from Riverview Cemetery Company to prepare an application for the national historic register.

    • Russ Pickett continues to create new and relevant pages on the website.

    • Terri Sanginiti of the News Journal is a faithful friend to Riverview Cemetery and notified the community of our clean-up event.


           As always, we are grateful for Mike Bonkowski, our attorney, the Delaware Community Foundation, YOU our FHRC members, and the FHRC Board of Directors.


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      The Riverview Cemetery website was created and is maintained by:
      Russ Pickett
      Page Last Updated: 12/7/2008