Friends:                                      

          I guess it’s that time of year to again inform you of what is happening with the cemetery association.  We had our meeting on the 11^th of November, 2001.  This meeting was well attended with younger people becoming involved.  This is good.  This meeting showed that our principal fund is still growing.  This happens because we are still using volunteer labor to mow.  Larry Hearnen stepped forward and took this responsibility from me.  I very much appreciate this.  Also, to all that gave donations and memorials, the board thanks you.  I am afraid that I did not get back to all of you with the personal thank you.  It seems to get harder for me to do this.  But I can assure you that the gifts are duly recorded and are placed in the cemetery fund.

          Mark VanHatten and I were up for re-election.  I agreed, with God willing, to server another term.  This was only because Tim VanHatten agreed to work with me and some day most probably takes over.  This means that if you find something good to say about the cemetery- I would like to hear from you, if it is bad- Tim is your man.

          I would like to make a few comments about Mark.  He agreed to step down in order to give Tim a chance to learn a few things about operating the cemetery- not only from me but Mark as well.  I asked Mark how long he has been with the cemetery and he didn’t remember.  He said he was doing it when Father Kettler was here and he left 50 years ago.  All I know is he was doing the work when I didn’t even know there was a cemetery.  Since I have taken the responsibility, Mark has been with me all the way.  He offered advice, showed me how things worked and never refused to do anything I asked of him.  I know that anyone that has worked as long and as hard as Mark has will always have an interest in the cemetery.  “Thanks Mark”!

          The cemetery continues to do well.  Due to an early and hard frost last fall, the pine trees suffered a sever case of winter burn.  They did not look good this spring but most of them have recovered and now show no signs of the setback.  The two or three are slow to recover.  We removed the unsightly and useless woven wire fence that enclosed the cemetery.  I think it looks much better and hope there is never a need to replace it.

          Sadly, the list of souls in the cemetery continues to grow.  My old friend Duane Hildebrandt was laid to rest this summer.

          Over the years, some of you have asked if there was anything that could be contributed to the cemetery.  I was always reluctant to encourage this as I thought building the cemetery fund was the most important thing we could do.  Now, it looks as though the fund is nearing the amount that will be necessary to maintain the upkeep.  There is one thing that is asked about more than any other.  People have asked me if a sign that contains the name of the cemetery could be erected.  We are about the only one around that does not have one.  We have no money for this project.  It would have to come from donations, memorials, and the like.  I have not looked into this as the size and placement for a sign would depend on the amount of money that is collected.  I feel that this is too big for one donor, but several could accomplish this.  I think a plaque could be mounted on the sign with the names of the donators.  I am not asking for donations now, I would just like your input.

          May the good lord continue to smile on this nation in this time of peril.

                             Earl A. Grandpre ------- President