Resident urges council to publicize Graceland Cemetery May 16 fundraiser to repair tornado-damaged stones

Rowan Calmer, speaking during public comment, told the Mayville Common Council that tornado damage left “several stones … tipped over” and that the Graceland Cemetery Association plans a cemetery-walk fundraiser for May 16 to help repair the damaged stones and raise restoration funds. Calmer said the group will feature short narratives about five historical individuals and is charging an admission fee to support repairs.

Calmer asked the council to help promote the event. “We still have several stones from the tornado that are tipped over,” she said, and added the association will post information on social media and would like the city to add the event to the municipal website. Mayor (identified in the meeting as Speaker 1) responded that the council would publish details on the city website when the association provides them to the clerk.

The association identified several stones that need work and said it has found presenters for four of five feature subjects; the speaker listed names planned for the program. Organizers estimated individual stone repairs cost in the low hundreds of dollars and said local organizations have offered help with advertising. The association asked the council how best to provide ongoing updates; Clerk (Speaker 2) advised sending materials to the clerk or the mayor for posting.

No council action was required; public-comment requests for city promotion were noted for follow-up by city staff.