Honoring the memory of our loved ones by placing flowers on their graves is a cherished custom and one worth keeping. More often today we find artificial flowers taking the place of the natural. Although these plastic and/or silk offerings are pretty and last a long time, they sometimes cause problems in maintaining the cemetery grounds. That is because these artificial flowers usually have wire stems. And if they are not really well secured, the wind blows them away. When that happens, they are no longer lovely tributes to the departed, but a nuisance, and even a danger to those who mow the grounds.

At Port O’Connor Cemetery it is customary for many to leave not only flowers, but trinkets of personal significance on their loved ones graves. These, too, are often displaced becoming obstacles to safe and efficient mowing.

Bob Allen and his helpers who maintain the cemetery grounds request that those putting out trinkets and flowers please attempt to secure these objects as much as possible so they will not be easily blown away and get entangled in their mower blades. Checking on the condition of these offerings periodically to insure their stability and replace or stabilize as needed might also be helpful, and would beautify the cemetery by making sure the artificial flowers are still in a nice condition, not faded or torn up.

Additionally, some people like to surround the grave with stones or other objects. If you do so, please do not leave space between the grave and the lawn. This makes for additional work weed-eating.

Bob and his crew have been maintaining the Port O’Connor Cemetery for many years, expecting no compensation. The Dolphin believes those of us with ties to the cemetery should show our appreciation by trying to make this big job a little easier. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.