To the Editor:
The Knowlton-Russ Cemetery would still be in the shadows if not for the efforts of numerous volunteers. In addition to those mentioned in Mr. Dodge’s recent article, several others lent their expertise to the project.
Jake Braley, of J&H Landscaping, was instrumental in identifying the original bounds of the cemetery.
Chuck Dinsmore began removing the smaller trees last fall, working into the winter until stymied by the deep snow.
Matt Lutkus volunteered many hours to shepherd the engraved stones through the process of temporarily storing them out of harm’s way, then setting them back in their rightful places.
The crew from Two Bridges Regional Jail deserves special commendation for their labors. Not only did they provide muscles for the stone-moving job, one of the men single-handedly restored the stone wall across the back, while another raised every sunken field stone to its proper height, and the third diligently raked and cleared the grounds.
Last, and certainly not least, the project would not have been possible without the generosity of John Blagdon III of Tired Iron Logging in Windsor who donated all of his labor for the timber harvest. He carefully guided us through the entire process, offering numerous helpful suggestions for our preparatory work and coming up with several creative ways to ensure the field stones were protected and the site was appropriately respected throughout the job. He and his crew met the myriad challenges with grace, kindness, and professionalism.
Damariscotta Historical Society and the Damariscotta Cemetery Committee extend our thanks to everyone who made the improvements possible.
