Thank you to all who were able to join us on Saturday, October 1 for our annual fall Community Clean-up Day of the Cemetery grounds. While the turnout was smaller than normal, the energy level was high! Perhaps the donuts helped, or that the rain held, or just the fact of being together and working on a worthwhile project. The group raked and bagged 67 large trash bags of leaves in the City Section while Steve Casaleggio worked up in the Improved Order of Red Men Section blowing leaves into piles. Mike and Kandee McClain brought their lovely granddaughters, Brooke and Morgan, along, as a way to give a little service time back to the community. My sincere appreciation to you all for helping out and for all that you do for the community and making it the special place that it is.

Spoon River Anthology—As I write this, we are just a couple of days away from our Opening Night and first weekend of nine performances of Spoon River Anthology. Needless to say, I am both excited and nervous at the same time. I can’t begin to tell you how hard this cast has worked in preparing for this production and all the personal sacrifices they have made to make it happen. Thank you to all who purchased tickets supporting the work of The Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery and the entire cast of Spoon River Anthology. I look forward to providing you with additional details in the December issue.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Featured image is of Kandee and Mike McClain with granddaughters, Brooke and Morgan. Photo by Mary Siedlecki.