Many years ago when there were no public cemeteries, neighborhoods of people set aside an area for burial. These were known, first, as family cemeteries and as time went on, the use was extended to non-family members.
Each cemetery had an “association” which was responsible for maintenance and rule-making. Today, there are only a couple of cemetery associations left. One is the Chase Cemetery Association. Anyone who has a connection to that old cemetery can join. An annual meeting is held to review what needs to be done in the graveyard, such as replacement or repair of stones. This year’s meeting will be on Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at the Advent Christian Church which is located on Highland Cliff Road, just in front of the cemetery.
Just for a minute, think about Christmas. Sherri Holtan of Windham Parks and Recreation Department is wondering if there’s enough interest out there to hire a bus to go to the Rockettes performance at the Wang Center in early December. Nothing is definite, but the price might be around $95 per person, plus dinner or lunch, depending on timing. At least 28 would have to sign on to make it possible. Call Sherri at 892-1905 and give her your thoughts.
There’s an anonymous flyer being distributed in mailboxes around town about the potential quarry being proposed on old Pike’s Hill at the corner of Nash Road and Route 302. I’ve also heard about interest in a moratorium on mineral extraction. This brings to mind the question of where Windham would get its winter sand if this should ever come to pass. With all of these gravel pits and local businesses in town, would we consider buying and hauling from some other community? That ought to drive the budget up, and the taxes to say nothing of the impact on the local businesses.
I might not like to have a quarry “in my backyard”, but it would be better than another housing development with its accompanying costs to schools, public safety and public works. Windham is full of abandoned gravel pits and quarries – I know of three or four on the road where I grew up. But that old neighborhood with its acres and acres of beautiful fields and old pastures, intersected by the Colley Wright Brook, is slated for at least three housing developments. I wonder if the prospective homeowners know that possibility is lurking?
I’m beginning to wonder if there should even be a zone designated “Farm.” I’ve heard people who move to these zones complain about noises from farm equipment, dogs barking and cows mooing. They get upset when “wild” animals invade their space, disturb their trash and clutter the neighborhood.
About dusk last night I heard a vehicle screeching to a stop in front of my house on Route 115. I thought the worst: A youngster had strayed off the sidewalk. But when I dashed to the window, I saw a fawn racing across the road, following another deer. I can’t imagine where they were coming from, given there’s nothing but houses to all sides of me. They appeared to be headed to the pitiful little bit of woods that remain between here and Sand Bar Road. They escaped safely – so far.
See you next week.
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