Cemetery Preservation Grant

In December, 2003, our organization received an early Christmas present from the Department of Local Government. A cemetery preservation grant in the amount of $17,692 was approved. The grant proposal was a collaborative effort between the Johnson-Wilson Stewards, the Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board, and the historic Dinsmore Homestead. Thirty seven historic graveyards will be positively impacted by the grant.

$5000 of the grant funds will benefit the Johnson-Wilson Cemetery; those funds must be matched dollar for dollar before the proposed work can be accomplished. The total funds, $10,000, will provide for tree removal, fencing, and an education kiosk at the cemetery. The fencing will be maintenance-free with a wrought iron look. True wrought iron is cost-prohibitive for the cemetery at this time ( a bid by Stewart Iron Works was nearly $30,000. The other fencing will cost about $4,000.)

The Johnson-Wilson Board of Directors has initiated a fund raising campaign which is progressing quite slowly at this point. Five of the JWCSA members have donated a total of $1500 toward the matching funds. We are requesting contributions from local businesses. In order for the organization to remain a public interest corporation after the five year probationary period set by the IRS ( which ends in December, 2005), the Johnson-Wilson Cemetery Stewards Association must show that it receives financial support from the community at large, for example, contributions from Fiscal Court, local businesses, and residents, and grant funds from various sources. So, $1500 down and $3500 to go!

One of the fund raising events planned is a Boone County Family Cemeteries Reunion to be held June 6 at the Dinsmore Homestead. This is not a Johnson-Wilson reunion as such. That reunion will be held in 2005, after the JW cemetery has been restored and fenced. The purpose of the Boone County Cemeteries Reunion is to create an awareness of the numerous small family cemeteries in the county, pioneer graveyards just like the Johnson-Wilson Cemetery. The reunion will provide free food, old-time music, and an abundance of genealogical data. The event is set for Sunday, June 6, from noon to 5:00 at the Dinsmore Homestead. No reservations are needed. Donations will be gratefully accepted! Contact Jan Garbett for more information.

Annual Membership Meeting

The annual membership meeting of the Johnson- Wilson Cemetery Stewards will be held in June, probably during the week of June 14. The membership will elect the Board of Directors, who, in turn, elect the officers.

The current board members have all expressed their interest in serving another term. They are: Jannes Garbett, Shawn Masters, Jenna Rogers, Bridget Striker, and Lara Weisenberger. Members must be in good standing in order to vote; that is, the annual membership dues of $10 need to be paid ( exceptions are honorary members). If any of the current members are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please inform Jan Garbett. All members will be notified by the end of May, of the date, time, and place of the annual meeting.

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Web Site

This web site is up and running because of the generous spirit of Pat Lense ( Woolper Creek Solutions) of Petersburg. Pat has donated expertise, time, and expense in bringing this site to life. The graphics are the work of Pat's former student, Sandi Curtis. After months of planning, Pat and Sandi's collaborative efforts have born fruit. We are so grateful to them!

Bridget Striker

The Board of Directors voted in a special meeting on October 30, 2003 to amend the by-laws to allow up to seven board members. Bridget Striker, Vice-President of the JWCSA, was appointed to fill one of those positions until the annual meeting in June.

Bridget has a background in anthropology and library science. Her archaeology expertise has proved invaluable in mapping the cemetery this past summer ( 2003). She guided Eagle Scout, Travis Richards, in mapping all stones, both rough field stones and the few inscribed ones.

Bridget has also worked with Pat Lense and Sandi Curtis in the set up of the web site, responding to their questions on what looked best in the way of graphics and format.

Our apologies to her husband, Mike Striker, since we hogged Bridget's time on JWCSA projects, but her skills and talents are many and varied. She has served the organization in countless ways. Thank you, Bridget!

Johnson-Wilson Reunion

As mentioned in the opening article, the Johnson-Wilson Cemetery Stewards Association will hold its own reunion in the summer of 2005. It will be combined with the annual membership meeting. We will be able to show off the new fencing and the repaired and restored gravestones. Barbara Wilson has graciously agreed to serve on the reunion committee. We will be inviting the descendants of Benjamin and Winney Johnson and Christopher and Lucy Wilson as well as the posterity of Mills and Lucy Wilks who are also buried in the cemetery. We welcome other members to be a part of the planning.

Please contact Jan Garbett.