"Gifts from Gail" -- Gail's Gift to Walnut Creek Cemetery, Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio!

Once again, I'm extending my gratitude to Gail Allen for her personal efforts that have led to returning Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery to a much more respectful condition; one that it deserves, through her active participation at the clean up conducted at the cemetery on October 18, 2013. 

First, I'd like to share just a bit of history between Gail and myself.  We started down this path in late summer of this year when during the course of our many email exchanges, I inquired with Gail that, if possible, during one of her many Fayette County cemetery travels could she visit Walnut Creek Cemetery and take some photographs of it.  In particular, of the older sections. Seeing recent photographs would mean so much to me since I live further away, and I am not able to visit the gravesites of my ancestors as often as I would like.

My request came as a result of the fact I had visited Walnut Creek Cemetery over the first weekend in August of this year and had found the property covered with tall weeds and grass that had grown up around many of the stones; even as high as some of the monuments themselves.  I knew immedately from this evidence that more neglect of the cemetery had deteriorated it to its worst than I had ever seen before in visits from previous years.  When I saw the cemetery gate itself surrounded by plant life overgrowth, the sight signaled to me what I would see beyond it; and unfortunately that was the case. 

  

I have Limes and Doster family buried at this early Quaker cemetery on Limes Road.  William Limes, my great-great-great uncle, was a War of 1812 veteran who was buried at Walnut Creek Cemetery.  Thanks to Leonard Limes (now deceased) a new flat granite grave marker designating his war service was installed for William Limes with a new veteran flag holder in 1997. 

Moving forward, I can't think of a better way to tell Gail's story and her involvement with Walnut Creek Cemetery than through her own blog post from her blog:  "Notes from Gail" where she describes her own experiences during the October 18, 2013 clean up project at Walnut Creek Cemetery and all of the events that led up to it. 

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Thank you, Gail, also on behalf of all of those interred at Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery! 

Clicking on this post's title will also take you to Gail's "Clean Up Cemetery Done"  story!

Sharing Gail Allen's "Notes From Gail" Blog Post about Her Methodical Approach to Get More Help for Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio

Sharing Gail's blog post from her blog, "Notes From Gail" --  "My Work to Preserve A Cemetery" about the steps she took on behalf of Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio to garner more help with its clean up than it has had in a long time.  

Even though Gail does not have any direct ancestors buried at Walnut Creek Cemetery, she lives much closer to it than I do, which enables her to visit it more often.  And, she has been very kind to do so and keep me informed about it's condition this year.  She has been able to discuss face-to-face with area residents both my concerns and hers about the cemetery's tragically neglected condition.    

Gail is also a "Find A Grave" photograph volunteer and has currently taken 84 gravestone photographs, helping others to see their ancestors' grave markers that they might not otherwise ever see.     

Gail's presentation to the Perry Township Trustees on October 14 has led to great promise for an arrangement with the county probation officer to provide workers who will start clean up at the cemetery in the next few days.  This participation will make a significant difference in the appearance of the cemetery's grounds that has not been seen in some time.  

Thanks again Gail, for your friendship and all of your help with regard to Walnut Creek Cemetery!  

Thanking Gail Allen for Re-Visiting Walnut Creek Cemetery and Providing a Well Prepared Presentation about its Neglected Condition to Perry Township Trustees on October 14, 2013

Extending my personal gratitude to Gail Allen for her outstanding efforts on behalf of all of those interred at the Walnut Creek Cemetery in Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio, with her cemetery visits on September 30 and again on October 14 this year.  

Also, on October 14, Gail attended the Perry Township meeting and spoke to the township trustees on behalf of those interred at Walnut Creek Cemetery.  She conveyed concerns held by visitors about its continuing deterioration due to the lack of routine mowing, and removal of cut down tall grass and weeds between gravestones and around them throughout the cemetery's grounds.  

Gail feels the points made during her presentation made a positive impact on the trustees who attended and also other residents who came to the meeting.  She feels hopeful that positive and productive changes will occur at Walnut Creek Cemetery after exchanging ideas with one of the trustees.

 (Above)

 Photograph taken by Linda Ellis on August 4, 2013 showing the overgrown grass and weeds in front of the Walnut Creek Cemetery gate.

(Above) 

Gail's photograph of the Walnut Creek Cemetery gate taken on September 30, 2013 showing how it appeared after the tall grass and weeds growing up around it were killed off, but not removed.

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Below are some photographs taken by Gail at Walnut Creek Cemetery on October 14, 2013 as a follow-up trip to her earlier September 30, 2013 visit that clearly show no change in the condition of the cemetery's grounds or the almost overflowing trash container; the only one to be found at the cemetery.

The bottom two photographs show Gail making a point during her presentation at the Perry Township Trustees Meeting later in the evening on October 14, and a close-up view of her impressive 3-panel display story board of photographs of Walnut Creek Cemetery's older sections where the most deteriorated conditions exist as well as other pertinent documents that relate to Walnut Creek Cemetery.

Thank you Gail, for sharing your photographs with us.