ANNUAL FAll CLEANUP and FOUNDER'S DAY at the GRAND TRUNK CEMETERY

     Sunday, October 27th, 2024 marked 14 years when Portland Girl Scouts, their families, friends and East Deering neighbors gathered to spend an afternoon at the Presumpscot, Grand Trunk Cemetery.  I believe that their working together to rake, fill bags with leaves, broken branches, tons of acorns, and planting Spring bulbs, honors the dead who resided in this area of Portland about 200 years ago, and are interred in this small burial site behind the Presumpscot School.

    In October of 2014, the cemetery was re-dedicated to the memory of the 197 souls buried here and,  Portland Girl Scouts, continuing the legacy of Samantha Allshouse and Kayla Theriault whose recover and attention to the cemetery in 2010/2011 made it possible through their Girl Scout Gold Award Project: 'Unearthing the Roots of the Back Cove and East Deering Community.'

    In 2015, the volunteer leadership of Girl Scouts of Maine Machigonne Service Unit adopted the Grand Trunk Cemetery for an annual service project by holding fall and spring cemetery cleanups and planting parties.  They have also expanded their involvement by offering other activities to honor their founder, Juliette Gordan Low at the cemetery.  In past years, therre have been games, scavenger hunts, bridging ceremonies and even a visit with 'Juliette'. 

    On this windy and blustery Sunday afternoon, about 35 Girl Scouts, family members, friends and neighbors participated.  It's exciting and gratifying to know that the attention paid to this small, but historically significant burial site continues.  A very special thanks to all those who were there at the Grand Trunk Cemetery this Sunday afternoon.

    I hope followers of the Remnant will enjoy the pictures.

 The Grand Trunk Cemetery Veterans Memorial