During my first spring walk outdoors, I began my walk into the Coal Grove section of Woodland Cemetery, followed by a lap around Calvary Cemetery, as related in an earlier article. The temperature was a record 88 degrees.

After completing my visit to Calvary Cemetery, I walked to the back gate at Woodland and entered.

Superintendent Mallory Morgan and her caretakers had obviously been busy. The grass had already been cut.

What used to be a gravel road through the middle of the Military Section was covered with fresh mounds of dirt. This project was begun two years ago.

It will allow for more gravesites in this section for the brave men and women who have given their lives for our country.

New, white wire trash cans were scattered around the various sections.

I noticed these cans were anchored in ground with chains. Sadly, those individuals who often take flowers purchased by others would probably open the trunk of their cars and take a new trash can home.

It’s really a shame that trash cans are even needed. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen someone roll down their car window, toss a cigarette butt or soda cup or can out the window, as he or she speeds through the cemetery, taking a shortcut to Ironton or Coal Grove.

Some of our larger cities have placed video cameras along with the necessary speed detection equipment in their towns. Perhaps, the same equipment might be used in Woodland to deter such behavior.

The Woodland Cemetery Board of Trustees has a set of do’s and don’ts for visitors. They include the following:

1. Veteran’s section is allowed one flag and no flowers. This section is to look uniform and special. Only on Memorial Day can flowers be placed at a 3 day period – day before, day of, and to be removed the day after. Decorations must be removed on Tuesday and any remaining decorations left on Wednesday will be discarded.

2. All flowers must be up off the ground and on a marker. No figurines, or any toys on the ground.

3. Flowers may be placed only at the head of a new grave for a certain amount of time to give family time to get a marker.

4. Only one shepherd’s hook allowed on one lot and only two hooks and two pots of flowers on a double grave, any excess hooks would be removed.

5. No dogs, cats, motorcycles, or bicycles allowed in the cemetery.

6. Benches are not allowed unless they are made of marble or granite. Benches must be placed and approved by the superintendent if space is available.

7. There is to be no curbing, fencing, rocks, gravel, etc., around any lots.

8. No glass jars or breakable containers will be permitted on grave or stone.

9. Children must be accompanied by their parents.

10. No loitering or littering is allowed.

11. Planting of trees and small shrubs must be done by the superintendent only with her approval.

Anything unsightly to the eye of the superintendent will be thrown away.

Our goal is to please everyone and have a beautiful cemetery for relatives to visit their loved ones.

Mike Nourse is a retired educator and contributing columnist for The Ironton Tribune. He lives in Coal Grove with wife Clara Gail, also a retired educator.