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The latest update from our town’s busy – and acclaimed – EG Historic Cemetery Commission:

Our local cemeteries are filled with history and glimpses to our past.  In fact, one could say that each stone has its own story. On Oct. 18, over two dozen volunteers from around the area got an up close and personal view of local history and came away richer for the experience, as they helped us continue our ongoing mission of rehabilitating our area cemeteries.

           

These volunteers were made privy to some of the best tales of their lives. Among the “stories” Cemetery 18 told were about the former United States Representative who called East Greenwich home, the young boy who lost his life while bathing in Greenwich Cove, and the evolution of the Tillinghast Family. Cemetery 72 revealed an account of the young teacher who gave up his teaching job to fight, and ultimately passed away in the Civil War, among others. Cemetery 22, meanwhile, disclosed details of some of the earliest residents of East Greenwich.Cemetery 18 volunteers:

Mike Honhart, Naomi Aguilar, Jennifer Boettger, Gency Dominguez, James Flynn, Erin Killeavy, Jang Keun-Jun, Kathleen Morlock, Greg Ohadoma,  Lismary Perez, Carla Peter, Olivia Pittius, Ashley Pociadlo, Jacob Reilly, Africa Smith, Topaz Szewczok, Jacob Walkinshaw

Cemetery 72: Ramon Alferos, Bruno Balkcom, James Deakin, Jim Ostiguy, Steve Salfeety, Tom Watts

Cemetery 22: Xenia Murphy, Robin Wittwer

A special thank you to Bruce MacGunnigle for his history lesson and the folks at Absolute Fitness for their hospitality and kindness for allowing us the use of their parking lot and facilities – it was much appreciated.

If you would like to be a part of this, there are two upcoming dates in fall cemetery cleanup campaign, both on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 15 and Dec. 6.

• If you or your group is able to commit to either time frame and would like a specific assignment please email me back.  The commission will be meeting again shortly and we will identify the sites to clean up based on the response of volunteers.
• It is important that we have a record of all volunteers so please provide a roster of all volunteers affiliated with your group.
• More information will follow (such as specific assignment site).

Email [email protected] to sign up to help.