Philipsburg:----The Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation will be coordinating a cleanup of the Cul de Sac cemetery this coming Saturday from 8am-10am.
PRIDE is asking all community minded groups and individuals to join in this very worthwhile venture as the historic graveyard is in a deplorable state.
Bottles, cans, and other trash are littered between graves and many of the graves are covered with over grown bush and trees.
The Cul de Sac cemetery located across from the TEXACO gas station and Le Grand Marche on Bush road is on the Monument List of protected monuments.
Many notable Sint Maarteners dating back to the early 1800's are buried there. Families such as the once powerful Von Romondts can all be found there, as well as Sint Maarteners that have contributed to our society, the likes of the Nisbets, Waymouths, Hazels. Sint Maarten's first Commander John Philips, named after our Capital is buried there, as well as Sint Maarten's first botanist Dr. Hendrik van Rijgersma who's work is on display at the Swedish Museum of Natural History to this day.
Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation is looking forward to broad support from the community for this cleanup, and the foundation is appealing to the public to pay more respect to our heritage and monuments and treat them with the respect they deserve.