Wreathed in Christmas; Grandview Cemetery adds splash of color to winter

Published 10:11 am Tuesday, November 22, 2016

: Larry Schreiber of Austin, a volunteer at Grandview Cemetery, helps to place a wreath as a part of an annual fundraiser. Photos by Deb Nicklay/deb.nicklayaustindailyherald.com

It was cold on Monday, but the vivid red bows signaled that holiday times were ahead.

“After the dead leaves and all, this makes it look better,” said Larry Schreiber, a volunteer who helped place 492 Christmas wreaths on graves at Grandview Cemetery on Monday.

Volunteer Ron Osman tweaks a wreath placed on one of the graves.

About 20 volunteers came out under the bright sun to place the wreaths, each finished off with pine cones and a bright red bow.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the cemetery. Wreaths are sold for $25 and receits are funneled into the cemetery’s perpetual care fund, said Clint Hertle, who is president of the Grandview Cemetery Association, the nonprofit that oversees the cemetery operation.

Participation is over 10 percent, so the large number of wreaths help provide a lively splash of holiday color when driving down U.S. Highway 218, south of Austin.

“Now all we need is an inch of snow to really set them off,” said Schreiber.