Last week’s story about my memory and lost items has yielded some fascinating responses. I guess I’m not the only person with this unique assortment of tendencies. One reaction in particular was so wonderful that I wanted to share before launching into a new tale. 

My wife and I got pretty jammed up with our “To Do” list the other day and decided to stop by Dunton’s Doghouse for dinner. While there I bumped into one of  my favorite local humans, Richard Hallinan. We chatted a bit to catch up, then Richard proceeded to tell me that he’d gotten a good chuckle reading about my exceptional memory!  

Richard said, back when he was fishing, Charlie Begin had shared a funny story about misplacing the house TV remote. Betty, Charlie’s wife, got ahold of Richard eventually to say that the lost remote had been found in the freezer! Richard said, “You nailed it Bob.” It felt so good to know that I was in much admired community company. Those remotes are rugged! 

Now, onto today’s adventure.

Call them what you will—graveyards, cemeteries, or burial grounds. I have been fascinated and intrigued for years by these capsules of history and Southport Island has a significant number sprinkled around in a variety of public and semi-private locations. I think there are in the vicinity of a dozen! It’s interesting to me that such a small community should have so many places to honor the local population. They tell such stories. 

One of my most interesting encounters with burial grounds came during a job in Ireland back in the 80s. Wandering the countryside with an old dear friend, Sean Fleming, who I knew from his tour at Tugboat Inn in the late 70s, was a good break from the job. Sean, who lives in Ballycotton, Colorado, took me to visit a cathedral in Cloyne, not far from his home. I believe he was making a subtle point regarding the age of things. This location did not disappoint. The history of the location dates from 522, then named St. Colman’s Cathedral.   

Our local cemeteries, though not so old, still captivate. But, like many things, time has taken its toll. Enter the generous concern of local Southport resident Bucky Holloway. Bucky has embarked upon the project of helping to preserve, clean and secure aging headstones, many of which have broken and settled over the years. It is a labor of love and fascination. Bucky shared some of the things he has learned working to help his newfound friends. In the photo this week, some of Bucky’s handiwork is revealed. This site is next to the Southport fire station.

Many stones have fallen to similar disrepair due to acid rain,  structural weakness and shifting ground. The process of cleaning, refastening and stabilizing is somewhat complicated by the type of stone and required treatments. It would be great if others who may find local history and its preservation interesting could maybe volunteer to help with the project. Helpful contact can be made through the Southport Town Office perhaps referring you to cemetery officials. 

Thanks, Bucky. Your efforts, I’m sure, are appreciated by those who are no longer with us and their families.