Benefit to help with more than grave Maintance

ILTON, FL JANUARY 9, 2017 – The Milton Cemetery Board organized a memorable date night to celebrate Valentine’s Day, including an extraordinary meal in a historic dining car, strolling along in downtown Milton while listening to love stories and triumphs of local couples…in the cemetery.The historic burial ground has had its challenges in recent past, including the need for volunteers to help with plot maintenance. Previously, church and youth organizations volunteered with mowing and weeding, although according to Pam Mitchell, Milton Cemetery Board member more of this service is needed and vandalism has increased.

The Adopt a Plot program, Mitchell said, is successful but needs more awareness. “We’re targeting historical plots, those who do not have family to take care of them,” she said. Mitchell also said the cemetery has faithful programs, like the Milton High School NJROTC to mow and weed but they need more like them to keep up.

Bill Bledsoe, the cemetery’s caretaker, found a grave belonging to L. G. Monroe, a five year old who died in 1902, desecrated in March of 2015.
Mitchell said the cemetery has seen even more vandalism recently. “One of the things we are fundraising for is to install gates to prevent some of the vandalism,” she said. Mitchell said gravestones have been toppled over, vaults broken into and the vintage wrought iron stolen.
The event will cover two evenings of dinner and the presentation of actors who represent a few local personalities who made their mark in Santa Rosa County history including Martha Beck, Dr. Thames, Alexander Jackson and more.
For more information on the event, please call the city manager’s office at 850-983-5411 or email citymanager@mymiltonflorida.com.