What a crazy spring we have had!

I trust everyone is safe and happy. I just wanted to update everyone and let you know that the 2020 Decoration at Central Cemetery will be held on the 4th Sunday in June (June 28, 2020) as has been for over 150 years! We won’t let a worldwide pandemic deter us… much. We will follow CDC guidelines and Commonwealth of Virginia guidelines for slowing the spread of COVID-19.

We will meet at the Cemetery beginning around 10:00 a.m. for some fellowship and fun – albeit at a distance. We will NOT have a cookout as we have done for the past few years. This is a small concession to the corona-virus. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to share with your family.

We will have a workday at the Cemetery on Saturday, June 27th to clean headstones and generally “spruce up” family graves. Jason and Amanda Funk and their family have done their usual terrific job of keeping up with the grass this spring. All of the rain and cool temperatures in Grayson County has made for ideal conditions for growing grass! Thank you Funk Family!

Of course, if you can’t make it on Saturday you are welcome to clean your family markers anytime! Saturday is an informal time to gather, decorate graves and do some cleaning up. A little bit of effort each year keeps the moss and lichen at bay. Unfortunately, some of our markers have been neglected for many years and will require some extra ‘elbow grease’ to clean. We encourage you to help your neighbors and share your energy by cleaning stones near your family. We are, after all, one big family!

The newsletters have been mailed (and emailed). It was a bit late this year due to the “fluid” nature of events this spring. Virginia entered “Phase 2” of its re-opening plan on Friday (June 5th) and it appears that we can meet legally, so long as we exercise common sense. Groups should be limited to not more than 50 during phase 2 so we may need to divide into 4 or 5 different groups to meet this restriction. : – )

If you did not receive a newsletter please drop me a line (DanTrent@comcast.net) and I will see that you get one. If you have questions, comments or concerns you can also call me (276) 322-3911.

As you know the worldwide pandemic has caused financial havoc everywhere. The Central Cemetery Fund is not immune! Our long-term assets took a “hit” and lost some value. In the long term we will be fine. The markets will bounce back and recover. In the short term we need to ensure that we cover current expenses. Your donations have kept pace with our costs over the years (although the margin is shrinking). Once again, we ask for your continued support to maintain your Cemetery. We are conservative stewards of financial resources. Our goal is to build up our assets so that interest alone will cover Cemetery expenses long after we are gone. Please help us to achieve this goal. We will
happily accept any donations – even a portion of your 2020 stimulus check! Thank you for your generous and continuing support!

Mail checks to:

Central Cemetery Fund

151 Cherry Stone Ave.

Bluefield, VA  24605