The weather has been great and we’re moving forward and social restrictions are being lifted. We will be holding a grave marker cleaning workshop on July 18, at the Rossville Cemetery, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marianne Greenfield, proprietor of Gravestone Cleaning Services will be conducting the training. A number of people have already signed up and we only have six spots open. So, if you want to learn how to correctly do this and help preserve these stones, please join in. The skill you learn you can take with you and do others which are personal to you.
We will maintain proper social distancing and will require the use of a face mask when closer than six feet to others. Remember, there will be a brief introduction by our instructor, followed by each participant given a stone to clean. The stones will be selected by our instructor as she will inspect each for stability to keep everyone safe.
I’ve attended two others and increased my skills more each time. The use of specific cleaning chemicals, which will be supplied, are designed to remove dirt, grime, and lichen without damaging the stone which will happen with strong cleaning agents like bleach and strong detergents.
Individuals sharing this learning experience will need to bring a new, clean bucket and stiff bristle plastic scrub brush. Both can be picked up at any dollar store. Wooden chopsticks are also needed and I have a big enough supply for everyone. You may wish to bring gloves, as well.
We’ll provide some simple refreshments to ensure everyone stays hydrated and with a bit of sugar from a cookie or two may provide some extra energy to scrub a tad harder! The coolers and tables will all be sanitized to provide maximum safety.

Today, I spent some time at another cemetery helping to weed whack and straighten out a few head stones. If you ever want to pursue a time expensive task, weed whack around head stones and markers. With a power machine it seems like it takes forever. When I begin feeling sorry for myself, I reflect back on when all the trimming was done by hand with a pair of trimming shears. Unfortunately I’m old enough to have done it this way. The hand cramps are not a fond memory, but have been replaced with a bit of back pain from the carrying and swinging the weed whacker.
Though it’s a wearisome task, there are many smiles as you do it. You see remembrances from family members, commemorating their visits to the resting place of a loved one. Some plant flowers or other small plants. I promised my Grandmother I would always place flowers on her grave and I faithfully have kept this promise.
At Christmas, people will go and place wreaths on the graves, and other items signifying the love they feel. I used to get fresh wreaths every year, but recently switched to artificial ones which I can retrieve after the holidays and use again.
Often you will see a coin left on a headstone or marker. This is normally done for a fallen soldier to let their family know someone has stopped by to pay their respects. A custom of the Jewish faith is to leave a small stone on the marker signifying someone has visited and paid their respects. This has become more common as people have learned of this and joined in the practice.
When I was weed whacking today, I happened upon this small token left on a headstone. I snapped a photo as I stopped for a moment to reflect on the sentiment it represented.
Not all cemeteries allow planting or the leaving of other items, such as solar lights. St. Raymond’s in the Bronx where my Grandparents are buried is like this. You may use a wire and attach a wreath to a head stone during the holidays for a brief period, after which it will be removed. This is not to be cruel or mean, it is simply a rule made by the individual cemetery which is normally done to make the landscaping and maintenance chores easier. If you are unsure what the rules are for a particular cemetery, please contact their staff for a list of rules and regulations.
Small, older cemeteries often have not adopted these rules, though they may once they are no longer operated independently and are taken over by local governments. The cost of maintaining a cemetery is significant. The two I am associated with are still independent, however the future is not certain. Volunteers are always welcome to assist.
Parking will be next to the Rossville Church. The driveway is a bit narrow to enter and you come upon it quickly as you drive up Route 32. We need to respect the neighbors and only park on the Cemetery property.
You may contact me if interested and wish to participate by calling me at 845-564-5238, or send me an e-mail at Historian@townofnewburgh .org. Please leave me your contact information so I can confirm your reservation and also be able to notify you if weather or other issues force us to postpone this workshop. Thanks.