Provoans can take justifiable pride in the beauty of their wellkept city cemetery. But take a walk through the older sections and you will realize there’s a blight that only the citizenry can remedy – specifically lot owners and descendants of deceased persons buried there. Countless gravestones have deteriorated hope lessly through the ravages of time and weather erosion. Inscriptions on aged sandstone and marble markers have been all but obliterated in many cases. Numerous pioneer graves have no markers at all, the wooden headboards of the era having longsince deteriorated. Some stones are out of alignment, tilting at an angle, or even broken. You will note cases in which cemetery crewmen have stacked the broken pieces at the graveside as a reminder to the owners. The Provo City Cemetery dates back to 1859. Burials from three small pioneer cemeteries – Fort Field, Grandview Hill and Temple Hill – were transferred to it. Stately early-day monuments mingled with a variety of modern types provide dignity and beauty. Yet a large number of graves. need attention. The Herald has these suggestions; 1. Take time to inspect your graves and see if the condition of existing markers bespeaks the respect you have for your kinsmen buried there. 2. In the case of pioneer or other forebears, family organizations might well undertake monument replacement, with many sharing in the project. When you visit the cemetery note the splendid stone with historical inscription recently erected to Dan and Jane Melling Jones by descendants of these illustrious pioneers. This is an example of a family organization effort. The Jones graves, incidentally, are located at 200 North and 200 West in the northern sector of the cemetery. 3. What a fulfilling project it would be for a civic or women’s club to join with Provo City in locating and contacting lot owners of graves whose markers are in dire need of maintenance or replacement! Sexton Burl Peterson has indicated he would welcome such help. Unfortunately families of many deceased persons interred in the cemetery moved from the area long ago. This complicates the task, but the potential for good results is still promising. Effective teamwork, public support and acceptance of responsibility by those people involved could do a great deal for family pride as well as cemetery beautification.