Lookin good

[Dave Suponski]

Stopped by the Meriden East Cemetery today with my gal pal. Place looks great!

[Bobby Cash]

https://i.imgur.com/tZS1o48.jpg

[Joe Graziano]

???

[Rick Losey]

???

the Parker graves

[Dean Romig]

It looks like the PGCA will be the Parker Family Plot caretakers going forward.

If this be the case, and there’s no good reason why it shouldn’t be, I would like to volunteer to be on the ‘committee’ but we’ll need some young guys and girls to help.





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[Bill Murphy]

At this point, string trimmers and grass seed should do it. Thanks to the original group who worked on the project. Be careful with chemicals used to clean the stones. It could damage the grass permanently. Hot water and scrub brushes might be the best tool for that job. Dave, thanks for the update.

[Dean Romig]

I believe the appearance of the Parker Family Plot today is due the efforts of Allan Swanson, Edgar Spencer and Keith earlier this spring. Thanks Very Much Guys!!





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[allen newell]

Dean and others..I'd like to volunteer for the cleanup committee. Those headstone need another cleaning

[Dean Romig]

Probably an annual soap and water scrubbing wouldn’t hurt, along with mowing and trimming. Would all take about a half day.




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[Garth Gustafson]

Thank you. That’s not a small plot. He had 10 children, but only 5 lived to adulthood.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10765812/charles-parker

[edgarspencer]

Thank you. That’s not a small plot. He had 10 children, but only 5 lived to adulthood.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10765812/charles-parker

There are 21 graves in the 18'x32' family plot. It is not only the Charles Parker family plot, but the resting place of (some of) the Edmund Parker family, and the John Parker family. Keith Bedard and I spent about 30 hours last year repairing, re-erecting, and anchoring those stones which had been broken.

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks, Edgar and Keith, for doing this important work. Do we have pictures of the many stones?

[edgarspencer]

Thanks, Edgar and Keith, for doing this important work. Do we have pictures of the many stones?

Yes, Dozens. The original intention of a PP article has been put on hold, in part by the editor's restriction to 3 photographs.

[Mike McKinney]

I’m afraid Allan, Edgar, and Keith have not been properly thanked at this point. So far they have spent many hours of work and planning to get these graves properly taken care of. As spring progresses they plan to really get everything up to speed so as to minimize long term maintainence, knowing full well in order for these graves not to deteriorate again they will have to be looked after as they are in a municipal cemetery and the town evidently has given up on keeping the cemetery up.
I’m a long way from Meriden, but I would guarantee that Allan, Edgar, and Keith will work on this project to completion so that we as PGCA members, the Parker family, and others will be proud of what is done. In the meantime a big THANKS should go to these three and be prepared to keep it up after the facelift is complete.

[Dean Romig]

The original intention of a PP article has been put on hold, in part by the editor's restriction to 3 photographs.


New regime - New rules I guess, but I don't think that policy serves the PGCA community very well. It is not my intent to start a firestorm, and no offense intended toward our fine Parker Pages editorial team - they're doing a great job. I'm just offering my honest opinion.





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[edgarspencer]

Mike Mckinney's comment is sincerely appreciated.

I am of the belief that the Parker brothers are really the fundamental reason the PGCA even exists. By 'Brothers' I am referring to Charles, John, and Edmund. It's merely an intellectual argument whether the three men, above are the 'Brothers', or, do we mean Wilbur, Charles Eddy, and Dexter. Each of these generations are collectively inseparable Principals of the Charles Parker Co, and the Parker Brothers Company.

The Generosity, Ethics, Vision and Entrepreneurial skill of Charles, the Father, were genetically embedded in all of these men. Were it not for them, the City of Meriden may have taken an entirely different course.

Meriden is no different than most every city in every state. Their resources are limited, and directed where it will do the most good for those, that live there, Today. The condition of the cemetery, as a whole, and the Parker Family plot is not out of lack of respect. It is simply the lack of municipal resources. Discussions are currently ongoing for the PGCA to assume the responsibility for a respectful program of regular maintenance. Allan, Keith and I may have been responsible for starting the ball rolling, but the ultimate form of whatever comes out of this is between Allan, and the board. The idea of volunteer activities is appreciated, but I think it's premature, and may undermine those discussions.

As I said, above, these men are the fundamental reason our organization exists. They are the foundation of our interest and it doesn't make any difference whether we're only here because of the gun, or our interest in history, or both.

[Dean Romig]

I'm here for all things Parker, which in fact can be found in every chapter of The Parker Story.





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[allen newell]

I'm here because of Edgar's terrific and wry sense of humor. lol
Really here because my grandfather (on the Newell side), and his four sons all owned and shot Parkers. And spoke of the Parker family often. It was considered heresy in our household not to carry a Parker when out for New England grouse and woodcock.

[John Dunkle]

I'm here because all of your wives, sons and daughters pay me on the side to keep this forum running so they always know where the collective "you" are hanging out. Some even pay me extra to keep you out of trouble from time to time....

That's my story - and I'm sticking to it....

John D.

[edgarspencer]

I'm here because all of your wives, sons and daughters pay me on the side to keep this forum running so they always know where the collective "you" are hanging out. Some even pay me extra to keep you out of trouble from time to time....

That's my story - and I'm sticking to it....

John D.

Clearly, My wife isn't paying you enough................

[John Dunkle]

Clearly, My wife isn't paying you enough................

:rotf:
_______ :rotf:
_________________ :rotf:

OK - now that's funny!!!!!

:bowdown:

John D.

[John Dunkle]

And Edgar?

Now that I stopped laughing a bit, as your wife and I will certainly renegotiate her fee to me for the next year..... I just want to add a huge and heartfelt Thank You to you, Edgar - and to Keith and Allan as well - for doing this on behalf of all Parker Collectors, enthusiasts and those yet to be......

Tell your wife - the next year is on me my friend....

Sincerely - thank you...

John D.

[Joe Graziano]

Thanks for all the information about the graves and the work you are putting into maintaining the Parker family grave site.

[Jean Swanson]

Well here goes !!

To bring all up to date :

It all started last fall on my way home to Vermont from Greenwich,CT after a gun deal went south. I decided to stop at the Parker cemetery in Meriden. The condition was beyond explanation----head stones tipped over & broken ,trees growing between head stones, ground vegetation completely covering head stones. Something needed to be done.

I called to set up a meeting with the BOD---that was arranged & approved with limited funds to get a couple of PGCA members .

My next step was to call Edgar Spence for help---there was something brewing the wind that was not expected on my part, a full offer PLUS on our home in Vermont ---we had to be OUT by 4 December---a huge task !!!

While talking with Edgar, he suggested that he contact Keith Bedard , a PGCA member--that was done. I was out of the picture because of moving .

Edgar & Keith , with me in the back ground to keep current, worked up a plan to go to Meriden to work on the Parker site---the work that has been done was MUCH needed..Winter hit... Edgar, Keith & I have kept in touch planning our next step.

So to all---BE PATIENT-----There will be a multitude of pictures, a well written article and more .
was done

[Andrew Sacco]

That's pretty amazing, thanks for sharing that.

[edgarspencer]

These two images, of some 80 taken, give you an idea of the scope of the work we've been doing.
The Headstone for Cornelia, Charles' daughter, had been broken once, and badly repaired. It was laying on the ground and after some digging, we found the missing piece from a more recent break. The other image fascinated me. Edmund's wife, Jeanette, died in 1892, and her stone had been knocked off it's plinth, which was also knocked off it's base. It's difficult to understand how it lay on it's face, but knocked over backwards. The impression it left in the soil was more legible than the actual headstone.

[Jim Kremmel]

All,
While I live in PA and likely can’t help, I suggest looking into some of the spray made for cleaning mildew and crud from headstones. I saw this on a random YouTube video of a guy cleaning US veteran headstones. It look like it worked really great, and I thought about doing some in a couple cemeteries in my area. I will see if I can find what it’s called. FWIW...

[Dean Romig]

Edgar, it seems every decade or so tha Parker Family Plot requires repair and maintenance and quite likely bi-weekly inspection and mowing.

Your pictures remind me of Dave Suponski’s efforts and the PGCA’s layout of a few thousand dollars to rebuild and repair the headstones and their bases.
I wonder if the PGCA should contract a local landscape operation for this responsibility and to report back to the PGCA whenever they find something amiss.






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[edgarspencer]

Unless I am mistaken, The work that Dave organized, and contracted for, was in 2012, and there's no record, or mention of any work prior to that, or, until now, since then. Two points may form a straight line but they don't indicate a trend. Dexter Parker was the last member interred in the family plot, in 1925. His headstone is much more recent, but is the only indication that anything was done, or added until Dave jumped in. Given these facts, a good restoration of the plot, with only regular lawn maintenance, may be all that's necessary.
Neither Keith Bedard, nor I have degrees in Rocket science, but the thought of hiring a regular service has more than crossed our minds.

[Garth Gustafson]

I really commend all you guys for the work you’ve done on this restoration and for your commitment to what lies ahead. This is no small job and that work is arduous. Just don’t hurt yourselves.

Would feel better knowing you’re sitting down in director’s chairs with highball glasses in your hands directing operations and ensuring the work is up to Parker Bros standards.:rotf:

[Dean Romig]

Haha... envisioning Edgar sitting in a director’s chair with a highball makes me want to gouge out my mind’s eye. :rotf:





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[Dean Romig]

Seriously though, I know two restoration events don’t necessarily indicate a trend but with vandalism seeming to be a trend at cemeterys these days I think restoration events certainly will become a regular thing, even if not a trend.





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[Jean Swanson]

To All

Rest assure we are looking into every possible solution to clean the headstones causing as little damage to the stone & the restoration entire Parker site .

Give us a little breathing room, you will be pleased with the final product. Remember---Edgar owned and ran a foundry business, Keith runs his own maintenance business, & I owned and ran a civil engineering/land surveying co.
WE ARE ALL PROBLEM SOLVERS.

We are working on all resources & avenues.

Best to all
Allan

[Dean Romig]

We know you are Allan - you’re definitely the right guys for the job. Not trying to step on toes or second-guess you guys, just having a little chat.





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[Jack Cronkhite]

When I saw the “Lookin Good” title of this post I was expecting to see a fine example of yet another amazing Parker gun restoration. I admit I was quite surprised upon reading through it all. I do recall reading of efforts years ago by Dave Suponski. From afar, I am compelled to applaud the direction taken by this group of members. Each one of us here has our story of why we are here. Mine starts with my Dad’s VH145522. I was,as a child, intrigued by the Dogs Head Butt Plate that resembled our black lab “Snippy”. Upon learning to sound out words I was proud to finally recite all the words found on the rib of “Snippy’s” gun. As I grew I came to understand that Meriden Conn was an actual place. These revelations were occurring in the 1950’s. Fast forward to this millennium I came to inherit 145522. It was in sad shape and I did what I could to bring it back and used it for it’s intended purpose, bringing home a variety of game birds. Part of my research into making repairs lead me to the PGCA. In 2019 Cheryl and I embarked on a mission to dip toes into both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Destinations in between were best described as serendipitous. In late September we found ourselves on Prince Edward Island. I had an annual appointment in the pheasant swales of Saskatchewan for October 1. The mileage being considerable, it was time to head west and keep rolling. But I had mentioned to Cheryl that a good lobster dinner could be had in Bar Harbor so we headed south to enjoy that. It was there that I decided I would be foolish to not head further south to find that childhood mystical place Meriden Conn. I knew that would take extra time that could interfere with October 1 but a pilgrimage to Meriden was on. We arrived to find a much more robust community than my child’s vision had conjured up but it seemed few citizens were aware of Charles Parker or the Gun Works or where the graveyard could be found. We did of course find the cemetery and the last standing building associated with the Gun Works. Upon finding the cemetery it was another job to find the Parker plot. In September 2019 I found the plot to be in a sad state. Headstones down and broken or overgrown by volunteer shrubbery that blocked the view of inscriptions. Some pictures were taken to record the memories as I find recollections fade at an accelerated rate as time passes. If they are of use to the authors of this thread I will add a link which will be done as an edit to this post as I fear the loss of all these finger taps should I do so now. Best regards Jack http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=999

[Jack Cronkhite]

Late September 2019. BTW I did not miss October 1 but admit I was just a bit fatigued after driving that long road home

[Dean Romig]

I just don't understand the disrespect these vandal hoodlums exhibit.






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[edgarspencer]

Jack, Many, Many thanks for that reply. Your 'pilgrimage' was apparently destined, and like myself, you probably felt some degree of sadness that this very important family, had all but been forgotten. It gives one a new understanding of "Earth to Earth, Dust to Dust. I'm no crusader, but when I went to the cemetery, for the first time since 2012, I felt like I needed to do something. Maybe Allan Swanson knew how I would react, and I'm very grateful he thought enough of me to reach out.
We've made a substantial inroad toward reaching a proper conclusion, but all this effort will would be wasted if the plan did not include provisions for an ongoing maintenance program.
Your photo of the broken stone, in three pieces, is Cornelia's (Charles and Abi's eldest daughter) headstone. It is now standing, albeit a little crooked.
Of the (second) Three Brothers, Dexter's headstone is a contemporary replacement, Charles Eddy's, laying on the ground, and and these photos show how I found Wilbur's headstone.

[edgarspencer]

I just don't understand the disrespect these vandal hoodlums exhibit.

Dean, There isn't anything that conclusively points to vandalism.

Jeanette's stone was knocked over because of the red maple growing out of the ground, directly between the base of her headstone, and family monument.

The grounds slopes away, to the west, behind the Charles Parker family row of stones, and there has been some erosion beneath the bases of several stones, on the west side. The base beneath Charles E's stone was badly eroded, and listing. His stone, about 5 feet tall could have easily been leaning and it wouldn't have taken a lot of wind to do it. Same for Cornelia's.

I spent several hours reassembling the stone for Edmund's daughter, Lizzie. That was made up of 5 separate pieces. The top of it probably had a small pineapple on it, and that was missing. The epoxy we are using is over $20 per tube and is specifically for masonry work. The fumes given off were horrendous, and it may account for my diminished mental capacity.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Happy to pass along my experience. I thought at the time things appeared a bit like neglected cemeteries anywhere. Mother Nature has a way of reclaiming her territory as the remnants of ancient civilizations attest. Post industrial humans have this thought that what we create should be permanent but without routine maintenance, disintegration is inevitable. I do look forward to seeing the end results of what I know will have been considerable time and effort to achieve. I also believe that an article in Parker Pages, that would need to include likely far more than three pictures to properly tell the story, is more than appropriate. Regards Jack

[Jim Kremmel]

The headstone and monument cleaner I mentioned in my earlier post is D/2 Biological Solution. I understand that this is what is used at Arlington National Cemetary. Hope this is helpful.

[Dean Romig]

We have found on our own family headstones that an annual cleaning with a sprayed-on application of Dawn dishwashing liquid and a light scrub brushing works extremely well and prevents that nasty lichen from forming. No rinsing required - the next rain will take care of that.





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