Rosa Bonheur Update
After a couple of weekends worth of work, we
finally are wrapping up one section of the cemetery. It is of course the
smallest section - but working it provided us with some
insight.
Based on our experience we have come up with a set of rules that we are asking our volunteers to abide by. These rules are posted on the Gimpy Dogs website but will be cited here as well.
The rules fall into two categories:
Rules of Conduct:
1. Never remove anything except trash and clippings from the cemetery.
This rule is for one simple reason. We are trying to clean up land, and currently no one knows who owns it or what its status is. The last thing we need is someone claiming that we have stolen something.
We simply cannot afford even the slightest appearance of impropriety no matter how well intentioned.
2. Work is key.
There are a number of people coming by asking what is going on. As people begin discussing the cemetery, rumors begin to fly. Please, if anyone comes by to ask questions - direct them to Penny or Gil. We started this project and the team needs to speak with a single voice. Additionally - everyone should be there to work. With visitors coming and going its very easy to become distracted in conversation.
3. Be Respectful.
You are in a cemetery. Its bad enough that we have to disturb this final resting place for a great number of beloved pets by performing all sorts of invasive cleanup. Please act with respect from the time you enter to the time you depart.
4. Be aware and Be Careful.
As work continues, especially mowing, there is danger of flying object (ejected by the mowers). Mowers should be aware of where volunteers are, and volunteers should be aware of where the mowers are. Stay Clear of Mowers! We will not be held responsible for any injuries which occur on the grounds - nor will we support any action or claims against the owners for any injuries which occur on the grounds.
5. Donations
Under no circumstances what-so-ever do we accept financial compensation, payment or donation of ANY KIND! If someone wants to donate, they can provide bottled water for workers, flags for headstones, flowers for the headstones - or anything to improve the look of the cemetery.
Nothing of any real value can be accepted. Nothing which could be construed as being given to a volunteer may be accepted.
Rules of Restoration:
These rules were formed to help organize a methodical cleanup while allowing the current land owner(s) the ability to continue their work as well.
Remember that we have seen what appears to be employees out there mowing. The last thing we need is the owner to say that we are prohibiting any of their clean-up efforts with all our flags. So in short - all flags have to come up as quickly as possible. We need all the help we can get - no matter who does it. So it doesn't help our efforts if we inhibit the owner from performing clean-up by having our flags out.
The team will conduct a logical, methodical restoration of the cemetery. This means that we need to stop working randomly.
1. The Stake-Out.
A section will be roped off to identify where current mowing is being conducted. Any loose material, garbage, existing flags etc will have to be removed to facilitate mowing.
Flowers and memorials will not be removed initially. These will only be pulled by the mowing teams as necessary, and then immediately replaced.
Since sections of the cemetery closest to the driveways are the most dry we will probably work through these sections first and leave the further back sections until spring. Its simply impossible to conduct cleanup on those areas during this time of year.
2. Mowing and Raking.
Each section will be mowed until the grass is low enough to locate the headstones.
Adjustable height mowers are best for this. The grass is extremely tall and the lower layers of grass are wet. Mowing in layers allows us to thin the grass, and provides the lower layers a chance to dry between mowing efforts.
If you do not have an adjustable mower - bring out your mower anyway - you can follow behind the adjustable mowers in an effort to pick up additional grass trimmings.
As the mowing continues - we will still need volunteers to rake up grass trimmings. While bag catchers on mowers do work pretty well, the grass is so incredibly high that we have found we still need to rake up trimmings.
It is also in this stage that weed eaters are used to clean up difficult to mow areas such as around tall headstones, around statues and around walls or fencing.
3. Flagging.
As previously stated, flagging headstones before this point really inhibits cleanup. So we have to pull all existing flags.
Once the mowing of a section has been completed, it is time to flag the headstones. Many stone should be visible at this point - visible enough to get an idea of where the rows and columns lay. Each headstone will be marked with a flag, and the remaining space scanned with metal detectors and prods to locate sunken stones.
We currently have one metal detector, a Discriminating Detector model 1100, that we picked up from Radio Shack for $129. We could use additional metal detectors - so if you have one bring it out.
4. Initial Detailing.
In this step we need volunteers with hand gardening tools to dig out, and cut back sod from the headstones. Sod should be bagged and set out for trash removal. We don't need sod clumps lying around and having the owners claiming that we are needlessly digging up and destroying the place.
Headstones should not be lifted, removed or any attempt made to reset them. Most of them are very old and some are starting to crack and split. Just detail around the stones.
5. Geo-Locating.
We have purchased a Global Positioning System (GSP) device to identify the exact location of the stone (to within about 20 feet). We have also create a form in which to record this information.
6. Photographing and Flag Removal
After the stones have been geo-located, Gil will come through with a camera and photograph each stone for the photo journal. Once the stone has been photographed, the flag will be removed.
Once all flags are removed, that section is ready for the final detailing.
7. Final Detailing.
In this stage clean up teams will inspect the headstones in the section to ensure they have all been properly dug out, and cleaned off.
All you former military folks feel free to bring a big can of Brasso to make those brass headstones really shine (grin).
QUESTIONS.
If you have any questions as to why we are asking you to adhere to these rules, see Penny or Gil.
If you have questions about what the status of each section is - see the Gimpy Dogs website. We will keep the status box up to date.
If you are wondering whether or not a section is ready to be flagged, then its probably not. See the triangle section in the middle of the cemetery - that is what we are striving for BEFORE we start flagging.
Based on our experience we have come up with a set of rules that we are asking our volunteers to abide by. These rules are posted on the Gimpy Dogs website but will be cited here as well.
The rules fall into two categories:
Rules of Conduct:
1. Never remove anything except trash and clippings from the cemetery.
This rule is for one simple reason. We are trying to clean up land, and currently no one knows who owns it or what its status is. The last thing we need is someone claiming that we have stolen something.
We simply cannot afford even the slightest appearance of impropriety no matter how well intentioned.
2. Work is key.
There are a number of people coming by asking what is going on. As people begin discussing the cemetery, rumors begin to fly. Please, if anyone comes by to ask questions - direct them to Penny or Gil. We started this project and the team needs to speak with a single voice. Additionally - everyone should be there to work. With visitors coming and going its very easy to become distracted in conversation.
3. Be Respectful.
You are in a cemetery. Its bad enough that we have to disturb this final resting place for a great number of beloved pets by performing all sorts of invasive cleanup. Please act with respect from the time you enter to the time you depart.
4. Be aware and Be Careful.
As work continues, especially mowing, there is danger of flying object (ejected by the mowers). Mowers should be aware of where volunteers are, and volunteers should be aware of where the mowers are. Stay Clear of Mowers! We will not be held responsible for any injuries which occur on the grounds - nor will we support any action or claims against the owners for any injuries which occur on the grounds.
5. Donations
Under no circumstances what-so-ever do we accept financial compensation, payment or donation of ANY KIND! If someone wants to donate, they can provide bottled water for workers, flags for headstones, flowers for the headstones - or anything to improve the look of the cemetery.
Nothing of any real value can be accepted. Nothing which could be construed as being given to a volunteer may be accepted.
Rules of Restoration:
These rules were formed to help organize a methodical cleanup while allowing the current land owner(s) the ability to continue their work as well.
Remember that we have seen what appears to be employees out there mowing. The last thing we need is the owner to say that we are prohibiting any of their clean-up efforts with all our flags. So in short - all flags have to come up as quickly as possible. We need all the help we can get - no matter who does it. So it doesn't help our efforts if we inhibit the owner from performing clean-up by having our flags out.
The team will conduct a logical, methodical restoration of the cemetery. This means that we need to stop working randomly.
1. The Stake-Out.
A section will be roped off to identify where current mowing is being conducted. Any loose material, garbage, existing flags etc will have to be removed to facilitate mowing.
Flowers and memorials will not be removed initially. These will only be pulled by the mowing teams as necessary, and then immediately replaced.
Since sections of the cemetery closest to the driveways are the most dry we will probably work through these sections first and leave the further back sections until spring. Its simply impossible to conduct cleanup on those areas during this time of year.
2. Mowing and Raking.
Each section will be mowed until the grass is low enough to locate the headstones.
Adjustable height mowers are best for this. The grass is extremely tall and the lower layers of grass are wet. Mowing in layers allows us to thin the grass, and provides the lower layers a chance to dry between mowing efforts.
If you do not have an adjustable mower - bring out your mower anyway - you can follow behind the adjustable mowers in an effort to pick up additional grass trimmings.
As the mowing continues - we will still need volunteers to rake up grass trimmings. While bag catchers on mowers do work pretty well, the grass is so incredibly high that we have found we still need to rake up trimmings.
It is also in this stage that weed eaters are used to clean up difficult to mow areas such as around tall headstones, around statues and around walls or fencing.
3. Flagging.
As previously stated, flagging headstones before this point really inhibits cleanup. So we have to pull all existing flags.
Once the mowing of a section has been completed, it is time to flag the headstones. Many stone should be visible at this point - visible enough to get an idea of where the rows and columns lay. Each headstone will be marked with a flag, and the remaining space scanned with metal detectors and prods to locate sunken stones.
We currently have one metal detector, a Discriminating Detector model 1100, that we picked up from Radio Shack for $129. We could use additional metal detectors - so if you have one bring it out.
4. Initial Detailing.
In this step we need volunteers with hand gardening tools to dig out, and cut back sod from the headstones. Sod should be bagged and set out for trash removal. We don't need sod clumps lying around and having the owners claiming that we are needlessly digging up and destroying the place.
Headstones should not be lifted, removed or any attempt made to reset them. Most of them are very old and some are starting to crack and split. Just detail around the stones.
5. Geo-Locating.
We have purchased a Global Positioning System (GSP) device to identify the exact location of the stone (to within about 20 feet). We have also create a form in which to record this information.
6. Photographing and Flag Removal
After the stones have been geo-located, Gil will come through with a camera and photograph each stone for the photo journal. Once the stone has been photographed, the flag will be removed.
Once all flags are removed, that section is ready for the final detailing.
7. Final Detailing.
In this stage clean up teams will inspect the headstones in the section to ensure they have all been properly dug out, and cleaned off.
All you former military folks feel free to bring a big can of Brasso to make those brass headstones really shine (grin).
QUESTIONS.
If you have any questions as to why we are asking you to adhere to these rules, see Penny or Gil.
If you have questions about what the status of each section is - see the Gimpy Dogs website. We will keep the status box up to date.
If you are wondering whether or not a section is ready to be flagged, then its probably not. See the triangle section in the middle of the cemetery - that is what we are striving for BEFORE we start flagging.
Posted: Sun - January 29, 2006 at 02:46 PM If this blog entry was of use to you, why not show your appreciation by donating to support the site? Just click on the MAKE A DONATION button on the right hand side of the page! It's all handled by PAYPAL.
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Published On: Aug 30, 2006 06:55 AM
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Published On: Aug 30, 2006 06:55 AM