Effective January 30, 2009, Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery became the new owners of Riverview Cemetery. It has been a long journey and we are ready to move forward. The previous owner had about $1200 left in the cemetery bank account. He saved no money from the 182 burials for perpetual care. The FHRC board has voted to save 50% of every fee collected from burials for endowment and perpetual care.

New Signs:

     Look for new signs at the three entrances to the cemetery. A new phone number (302) 762-4705 will be listed in the white and yellow pages. Members of the board will retrieve and return phone calls daily.

Annual Meeting:

     A News Flash will be sent with the April date. We will meet at the VFW Hall on Brandywine Blvd. Please join so you can vote.

Chapel Committee:

     Our first priority is to assess the water damage to the chapel and consult with experts regarding the structural integrity of the building. If you can serve on a building usage and renovation committee, contact Lee at drleeanderson@aol.com.

Tree Planting:

    Sign up now for March 21 (9:00 to noon). The Delaware Center for Horticulture will oversee this project and provide lunch for 100 volunteers. FHRC will provide beverages. Contact contact Lee at drleeanderson@aol.com if you can help.

Arbor Day:

     Kerns Brothers Tree Service will return in April and remove more dead and dangerous trees on the East side. More details will follow.

Memorial Day Service:

     Sign up now to help prepare a special Memorial Day service (Saturday May 30) under the flagpoles at the cemetery. Veterans from all wars will be honored. Contact Tedd at teecee62@comcast.net.

Special Thanks This Month To:

• News Journal reporter, Terri Sanginiti, photographer, Suchat Pederson, and Kristin provided outstanding front page and internet coverage of the ownership change on January 30. Thanks to the editor as well!

• News Journal reporter, Terri Sanginiti, who wrote a pre-event article about our January 24 Day of Volunteer Service while writer, Kelly Bothum and photographer, Emily Varisco covered the event.

• Department of Corrections sent crews from "Webb Center and Plummer Center" to the January 24 Day of Service and removed trash and tree branches. Earlier in the month two trees fell during a windstorm and the Plummer Center crew cut branches off of tombstones. Many thanks to Warden Steve Wesley and other officers for their leadership.

• Willie Patrick and four explorers from the "Wilmington City Fire Department" helped with the Volunteer Service Day and agreed to return for other projects.

• Brian Richards, Director of Operations for "Benchmark Builders" sent six volunteers to the Day of Service event. Thanks for being a good neighbor.

• The "City of Wilmington" removed a huge pile of branches, holiday decorations, and trash.

• "Fast Signs" provided a discount on our new ownership signs.

• "Pats’ Pizza" provided a discount (Kate Wilhere and Cheryl Markiewicz covered the cost of the pizza and soda) and Board Members provided snacks as part of our appreciation lunch for the men at the Plummer Center.

• Mike Bonkowski, worked behind the scenes to represent the deceased at Riverview Cemetery and helped us speak with one voice since April 2007. Thank you for your generous gift of time and legal expertise.

• Andy Aerenson, real estate attorney worked with Mike and the FHRC Board to conduct the settlement and transfer title of the cemetery to FHRC.

• YOU, our FHRC members who continue to offer your time, talents. Thank you for joining this effort to restore and preserve Riverview Cemetery. And, thank you for asking your friends and relatives to do the same.

  
  

  
  
  The Riverview Cemetery website was created and is maintained by:
  Russ Pickett
  Page Last Updated: 2/5/2009