Rustfield Cemetery reclaimed

NORWAY -- The town of Norway recently received an unexpected letter praising Norway Downtown for its work in reclaiming the Rustfield Cemetery on Greenleaf Avenue.

Robert Hayden of San Marcos, CA, had visited the cemetery eight years ago to see the graves of his ancestors.

"I must be frank, when I first saw the cemetery I was appalled at the condition it was in, and it grieved me that apparently a piece of Norway's history was slipping into oblivion and, by extension, mine also," wrote Hayden in a letter addressed to Norway Town Manager David Holt.

Norway Downtown became interested in the cemetery when history buff Tony Morra, who sits on the Design Committee, noticed its state of disrepair.

"Norway's founding fathers and mothers are buried in Rustfield Cemetery and we owe it to them to take care of it," said Brenda Melhus, who chaired the committee to restore the cemetery.

According to Melhus, it took a team of volunteers two days to remove unwanted trees, brush, and debris.

"Norway Downtown had already replaced the cemetery sign," said Melhus. "It seemed only right that we should clean it up."

Hayden praised the new look of the cemetery, saying that it was "open and clean," with a new fence and a "beautiful, elegant sign."

"It would be difficult for me to express the thanks I feel for the people who have volunteered to undertake this project," wrote Hayden.

Hayden says that the condition of the cemetery is a sign of a broader trend taking hold of Norway.

"The present condition of the Rustfield Cemetery is vastly improved," wrote Hayden. "In fact, the whole town of Norway looked cleaner and more vibrant than I have seen it look in years. I really don't get back that often so I can easily see change for the good and bad, and Norway looks to me like it is moving in the right direction."

Hayden submitted a $50 donation to Norway Downtown as an expression of gratitude.

Rustfield Cemetery cleanup Photo:

RECLAMATION - Tony Morra (front) and Ola Melhus, members of Norway Downtown, were part of a volunteer effort to reclaim the Rustfield Cemetery, located just off Main Street. The group plans to do some raking in the spring.