Destination Imagination students involved in the Zombie Project gave the Bourbon Town Council an update on the project. The project spearheaded by the team members would honor departed citizens in the Bourbon Cemetery with a headstone that would be erected. It would hold 51 names along with any birth or death dates the can be verified. The students have been working on the verification and other cemetery restoration measures for at least three or four years. Among other things, they have researched information at the Marshall County Historical Museum.
Presenting the updates were Matthew Hefner, Jake Farley, Jessica Music, Caitlyn Ignen and Kelsey Hamilton. They were accompanied by Team Manager Lisa Eiser.
They said, “The cemetery has 51 interment listed, but due to the age of the cemetery and the condition of most of the stones, the people buried there will be all but forgotten unless something is done.”
The Town of Bourbon has $1,500 in the budget for the cemetery upkeep. The Council voted in February to extend another $1,000 towards the project. The students have raised an additional $500 to be used for the overall expense.
Patten Monuments in Warsaw has been helping with the design that would include a stone 65 inches wide and 58 inches tall. The price for the stone, all carvings and delivery would be $5,925. An additional expense of $465 would be required for foundation work.
The students said they will be contacting the DNR to make sure the proper paperwork is secured.
They expect to publicize the project further in order to inform the public and seek sponsorships.
Carol Anders Correspondent
