CEMETERY VANDALIZED AGAIN

As we embark on “Year 3", we find that the cemetery has been vandalized twice since Labor Day.  On September 28th we noticed about a dozen stones in the middle of the new cemetery yard were knocked over.  After thousands of dollars in fencing and pledged police patrol, the cemetery was vandalized in mid September.  Between September 28 and November 29, many more stones were knocked over.

As you know, in June 2002, we spent $2500 to have the first half of the cemetery stones lifted. Not only are over 2 dozen of those knocked over, now there are even more knocked over.

Unfortunately, at this point, our primary focus must change from RESTORATION to SECURITY.

SECURITY NEEDED ASAP!!!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN AFTERNOON/EVENING SECURITY GUARD.  This will be a PAID position.  If you, or someone you know, are interested, please call, e-mail or fax a resume or letter to (631) 864-2845.

The cemetery will remain locked 24 hours a day.  We have kept the gates of the cemetery locked since their installation in November 2001. While we have had a few “angry phone calls” from people who hadn’t been to the cemetery in the past 2 years, the locked gates have most definitely served their purpose keeping a majority of unwanted trespassers out of the cemetery, stopping the “cut throughs” to the LIRR  and keeping litter & damage to a minimum.  If you, or someone you know, has been LOCKED OUT of the cemetery, please get in touch with us and can arrange for access or a family key.

SPRING CLEAN UP...

Our next organized clean up day is tentatively scheduled  May 3, 2003.  Spread the word and bring your friends, rakes, bags and gloves to help us clean, trim and beautify the cemetery.  Thanks to Roy Meserole for trimming the overgrown bushes around the church yard.  Annual Clean Ups are held every year in the Spring.

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COOKBOOK & LCRP SHIRT CLEARANCE

Our grey pre-shrunk cotton T-shirts w/navy LCRP logo are ON SALE...2 for $10.00 (please add $5 s&h if being mailed).  Order: call, write or e-mail w/size request (sizes run narrow/small) COOKBOOKS are also now available - 2 for $15 - one to keep one to give away - hundreds of delicious “tried & true” recipes in a decorative spiral bound book which also contains information about our cemetery restoration. All proceeds go the cemetery.

HONORING OUR ANCESTORS

OUR LITTLE PROJECT has been published in a book!  In March 2001, thanks to Irene Piscitelli (Mott), we came across a woman, Megan Smolneyak,  who gives small grants to genealogical projects. After awarding our project with a $200 grant, she advised that she was writing a book and asked if our story would like to be included...Elyse sent hers in.

In September 2002, her book entitled Honoring our Ancestors was released. Our story is appropriately titled  “Cemetery Saver”. The book is filled with great, heartwarming short stories about genealogy and families. You can buy this book at Barnes & Noble bookstores or on Amazon.com - check it out...

FALL YARD SALE 2002

Our 2nd Annual FALL YARD SALE took place on September 28th. We had great weather and owe the day’s success to our vendors: Nils & Ruth Erickson, Ann & Paul Mott, Tony (Tony’s Iron Works of Inwood), Elda Hoffner (always full of donations and can that woman fold clothes), Jane, Elyse & Scott. The day’s total was $948.00, which includes donation check drop-offs & a few high value items which were pulled from the sale and sold on eBay. If all goes as planned, we will begin to plan our next Fall sale over the summer. Got STUFF?

ANNUAL DONATIONS NEEDED

This project relies upon the generosity of the families, friends and neighbors of LCRP.  We ask that, if possible, please make an annual donation in honor or memory of a loved one..every dollar collected goes directly towards this project. -- ALL ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

GENEALOGY

This project started out as a simple genealogy project and has been building momentum ever since. We went from looking for our families to saving their final resting place.  If you are looking for ancestors or have information and/or questions about 5 Town families, please share them with us by e-mail or write….

Lawrence Cemetery  Restoration Project, Inc.

4 Palmer Lane

Commack, NY 11725

(631) 988-3413

fax (631) 864-2845

e-mail: LCRP2003@aol.com (Elyse Craft)

or

sholden1@optonline.net (Scott Rumph)