How Mowing Grass Led To The Rebirth Of A Pair Of 180-year-old Washtenaw County Cemeteries
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - It began with mowing the grass.
When Dexter Township hired a new landscaper to care for two historic cemeteries dating back to the earliest days of European settlement in Washtenaw County, he began to make discoveries. Mowing the burial sites dating back to the 1830s and '40s, he began to find little bits of stone poking up in the grass.
The landscaper, Kim Beck with KB Services, refused to mow over them. A little bit of digging revealed they were headstones, swallowed by the earth.
"He took me over there and showed me, and I went oh lord, we got to do something about these because they were in bad shape," said Dexter Township Trustee Karen Nolte.
Months later and a group of volunteers she's led are well on their way to bringing new life to the plots marking the death of the earliest township residents at the Hudson Mills Cemetery, off Dexter-Pinckney Road near township hall, and Four Mile Cemetery, on Lima Center Road in western Washtenaw County near Dexter.
The township contracted with tree trimmers to clear back brush, and found even more headstones underneath. Beck has uncovered approximately 35 since he began mowing, some underground and others lying down in the brush or propped up against fences, according to Nolte.
"We're still finding headstones in the dirt," she said.
The township trustee reached out to a historic preservationist specializing in cemeteries and learned how to restore the stones, with a paste solution scrubbed on with small brushes, putty knives and a healthy dose of elbow grease. She's trained a group of volunteers to tackle the task, touching up the headstones and preventing mold and mildew.
Headstone restoration at Hudson Mills Cemetery in Dexter Township, Michigan, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Christina MerrillMLive.ComChristina MerrillMLive.Com
The landscaper has also found fragments of some of the markers and pieced them together. The volunteers will receive training in how to rebuild them, since using concrete isn't recommended, Nolte said.
Then, there's the matter of where the headstones go. Some are knocked over or teetering thanks to the growth of nearby trees.
Nolte said she found a listing of names from a local historical society, but layout information isn't a part of it. The volunteers do have one resource to go on, she said, in the form of a 2009 Eagle Scout project.
At that time, Mark Anderson, a member of Boy Scout Troop 477 in Dexter, completed a survey of the Hudson Mills Cemetery, separating the property out into a grid and cataloging the monuments and their locations, dimensions and inscriptions, square by square.
Of the roughly 150 markers, some date back to the 1840s, 50s and 60s, many for residents of the Hudson Mills settlement, which grew out of a Huron River sawmill built in the 1820s.
"Death is a debt to nature due. Which I have paid and so must you," reads one of the tablets.
It marks the resting place of Lydia Dudley, the four-month-old daughter of David and Betsey Dudley, who sold an over an acre of their farmland to Dexter Township in 1841 for the burial ground, according to a historical marker.
The cemeteries are still meaningful to some of the ancestors of those buried there.
Last year, Nolte said, the township received a letter from a Pennsylvania resident thanking officials for their upkeep of the Four Mile Cemetery, where her second great grandparents were buried.
The note only further cemented the push to clean up the grave sites, Nolte said, and the township established a small budget to do so.
"We started this project in respect of those that came and settled our community prior, and we believe the years of neglect was disrespectful to them," she wrote in a recent township newsletter. "We are working to improve on those years of neglect and the project continues to evolve and grow with each stone uncovered."
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The Best Lawn Care Services Of 2023
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A lush green lawn is a thing of beauty, but the reality is all that beauty takes work. Mowing, fertilizing, aerating, and irrigating (not to mention regular treatment for weeds and pests) can be time-consuming. For some, caring for a lawn can be a labor of love, but for many, hiring a lawn care company will save time and money and provide peace of mind.
Whether it's weekly lawn maintenance or a seasonal cleanup, a lawn care company can keep a lawn healthy, weed-free, and full of curb appeal. For those considering hiring a professional and searching for "landscape maintenance near me," this guide will help determine the best lawn care service for their needs.
Before hiring any lawn care services, there are several factors for customers to consider. These include aspects of the customer experience, like scheduling and pricing, as well as the lawn's needs. Homeowners searching for "yard care near me" will want to evaluate these aspects of lawn care services.
Service AreaWhen considering hiring a lawn care company, a customer will first want to determine if the company services their area. There's no benefit for customers to look into a company if it's not available to perform work in their area.
SchedulingAll companies require booking services in advance. Homeowners can call or email some companies to make an appointment. Other companies allow customers to manage their account, including scheduling, online. Before hiring a company for any recurring service, customers will want to find out how that company handles booking.
In addition, the time of year will factor into scheduling. Spring and fall typically require seasonal work, such as leaf cleanup and fertilizing. A lawn may grow faster in the late spring and summer and require more mowing. Ultimately, the frequency of lawn care services will be determined by the lawn's needs and the homeowner's budget.
It is also important to find out if a company makes one-time visits or only offers recurring services. Because many customers opt for recurring appointments, it can be difficult for lawn care services to schedule one-time appointments.
Services OfferedMany lawn care services offer mowing, feeding, aerating, reseeding, and basic pest control. Some companies offer additional services like tree and shrub care, landscaping, or snow removal. These additional services can be a bonus for a customer who prefers to bundle their yard maintenance into one visit or stick with one company for various seasonal outdoor maintenance work.
Quotes and PricingAs a customer, knowing what the costs are up front can be a deciding factor in whether or not to hire a service. Many lawn care professionals offer up-front pricing and free estimates or quotes. These quotes can be delivered instantly online or via phone or email.
In addition, companies that offer services outside of lawn maintenance may have different pricing tiers for a customer who bundles services or customers who have recurring services.
GuaranteesCustomers want to know that a company stands by its work, so guarantees are important. Each lawn care service will have different criteria for its guarantee. For example, a company may stipulate that any complaint from the customer be filed within a 24-hour window after service, while another company may give the customer up to 2 weeks. In general, a satisfaction guarantee means that the service or professional will return to rectify whatever the issue is at no cost to the customer or offer a complete refund. Customers will want to remember that any satisfaction guarantee is given at the lawn care company's discretion.
Our Top PicksWhen evaluating the best lawn care services, we looked for parameters such as the number of locations or availability, range of services offered, ease of booking and scheduling, and what type of guarantees the company offered. For homeowners searching for "lawn maintenance near me," here are some of the best options.
Photo: trugreen.Com
Why It Made the Cut: TruGreen has nationwide availability, a range of service plans, and an easy-to-use scheduling and billing system to make the company a must-consider for lawn care services.
TruGreen is a lawn care company located in 48 states and Washington, D.C. It offers an array of lawn care services, including lawn aeration, overseeding, pest control, and soil amendment, although lawn mowing is not offered. Additional services beyond maintenance include mosquito control and prevention as well as tree and shrub care, fertilization, disease treatment, and insect control. TruGreen offers customers a wide range of service plans, from the basic TruHealth package to the all-inclusive TruSignature option. This wide range of services means that customers can use TruGreen to tackle multiple outdoor needs.
While the company offers a satisfaction guarantee, the website is unclear about which services the guarantee applies to. The TruGreen website is user-friendly, and customers can manage their appointments and payments online. TruGreen also offers an intuitive mobile app where users can schedule appointments. A robust library of lawn care information and resources helps customers feel more knowledgeable and confident. The scheduling process offers a brief question-and-answer section for customers about their lawn care needs to help them find a tailored maintenance schedule, and all payment happens online. Services can also be booked over the phone.
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Photo: lawnlove.Com
Why It Made the Cut: Lawn Love offers a transparent pricing guide and guarantees its lawn care professionals are bonded and insured so customers can feel secure in who they're hiring.
Lawn Love is a site that will source vetted, local lawn care services. These professionals are certified to be bonded and insured so customers can have extra peace of mind. Lawn Love offers mowing, fertilization, aeration, weed control, yard cleanup, and tree and shrub care. Customers can also book gardening services through the website as well as additional seasonal services such as gutter cleaning and leaf cleanup. Lawn Love offers up to a 30 percent discount for customers who bundle services.
Lawn Love's booking process takes place online and delivers an instant quote. Lawn Love also has a transparent pricing guide, so customers know that pricing is consistent and can accurately budget for services. Customers can easily pay for and manage their services online. Lawn Love offers a satisfaction guarantee for customers that file any complaints within 24 hours of the service.
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Photo: getsunday.Com
Why It Made the Cut: Sunday Lawn Care offers a subscription service that empowers a homeowner to DIY their lawn care with conveniently delivered products tailored to that lawn's specific needs.
Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Sunday lawn care uses the results of a diagnostic test combined with location data to deliver tailored lawn care products on a seasonal subscription basis, which makes it relatively affordable. Customers with lawns smaller than 13,500 square feet most clearly benefit from Sunday's offerings, and those who sign up for a year receive the products they need only when it's time to apply it in four installments. The easy-to-navigate online account helps guide those newer to lawn care through the process. It also has more thorough usage instructions than what's included in each package.
Sunday aims to boost customers' lawn health with affordable, convenient products made from eco-conscious, sustainable ingredients. Sunday has other products and an array of live plants and trees it sells, which are suggested to a customer based on climate and other factors.
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Photo: groundsguys.Com
Why It Made the Cut: The Grounds Guys is a full-service landscaping company that offers a wide range of lawn and landscaping services so homeowners can hire one business to take care of all of their yards' needs.
The Grounds Guys have a full range of services, including lawn mowing, fertilization, sod installation, and reseeding. The company also offers irrigation, gutter cleaning, tree and shrub care, hardscaping, and landscaping. Snow and ice management are available in the winter, and they'll even install holiday lights. All of these services mean that customers can conveniently bundle almost all of their outdoor needs through one company.
The Grounds Guys have locations in 42 states, and customers can schedule services via email or over the phone. The company does not currently offer online account management. In addition to offering a 2-week satisfaction guarantee, the company provides yard status and quality reports after each visit so a customer can feel knowledgeable and empowered about the state of their yard.
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Photo: lawndoctor.Com
Why It Made the Cut: Lawn Doctor offers a full range of lawn care services, including conventional and organic lawn care treatment plans so homeowners can make more sustainable choices regarding yard maintenance.
Lawn Doctor has a presence in 40 states. Its lawn maintenance services include mowing, fertilization, seeding, and aeration. The company also offers pest control, including mosquito and tick treatments, along with general tree and shrub care. Lawn Doctor has options for organic lawn treatments, which many customers with pets and children may prefer as they can carry less risk than conventional treatments.
While the company offers online account management, customers can only schedule appointments over the phone. Lawn Doctor's satisfaction guarantee comes with no specific time frame, so customers don't have to rush to make any complaints following a service.
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Photo: lawnstarter.Com
Why It Made the Cut: LawnStarter offers customers comprehensive lawn care maintenance through a convenient app to make scheduling lawn care a no-brainer.
LawnStarter is an aggregator that sources local certified, insured lawn care professionals with an average of 12 years' experience, according to the site. LawnStarter lawn care service offers a convenient way to maintain and schedule services via its easy-to-use mobile app and online—the site claims that the process takes less than 5 minutes to get started. The company offers instant online quotes and has a satisfaction guarantee with no specified time frame.
LawnStarter offers mowing, aeration, sodding, and fertilization of the lawn, as well as yard cleanup, pressure washing, and other general landscaping services. Customers can view the full-service lawn care list once they are in the process of booking. LawnStarter claims that there are no service contracts; however, it also states that customers cannot book one-time lawn mowing appointments. Customers can enter their address online to determine if LawnStarter is available in their area. For customers looking to make lawn care as automatic and hands-off as possible, LawnStarter is a great option.
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Because of its availability in nearly every state and its comprehensive range of services, TruGreen is the top pick for the best lawn care services overall. Lawn Love is the runner-up for its transparent pricing and discounts for bundling services.
How We Chose the Best Lawn Care ServicesWe researched dozens of lawn service companies across the U.S. And focused on companies with a multi-state presence. The final list was selected after evaluating relevant factors for each lawn care service company, including the range of lawn care services, additional services, pricing, scheduling, account management, and satisfaction guarantees. Companies were given awards based on their strengths, and companies that didn't meet our criteria were not included.
Before You Hire One of the Best Lawn Care ServicesBefore searching for "best lawn care service near me" or "lawn mowing near me," it's important for customers to know what to expect when hiring. These companies offer a specialized service with a focus on lawn care. A homeowner may be looking for landscaping, which involves more planting and construction. In that case, they will want to verify that a lawn care service offers landscaping, or they will need to hire a separate company. Homeowners with extensive gardens may want to speak with a lawn care company before hiring their services to ensure their plants are safe.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Lawn Care ServicesLawn care costs can vary depending on several factors, including the health of the existing lawn, the type of treatments needed, the lawn's size, and any additional services beyond routine mowing and fertilizing. In addition, geographic location can affect the overall price due to variations in the cost of living and minimum wage.
Homeowners can expect to pay around $130 for lawn maintenance, with a range from $50 to $210. This is typically the cost per visit, and the majority of services during the growing season (spring and summer) are at least biweekly. While some lawn care professionals charge a flat service rate for regular service, others charge by the hour. Per lawn care pro, the rate per hour ranges from $25 to $60. Lawn aeration costs and lawn mowing costs are roughly $130 each. Customers looking to install a yard full of new sod can anticipate paying between $400 and $4,500 for new lawn costs.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Lawn Care ServicesProfessional lawn care services ensure a lawn is kept on a schedule that maintains its appearance and health. From routine mowing and feeding to aeration and irrigation, a lawn care service provides the specialized care that grass requires. Lawn care services can also help tackle problems like a heat-stressed lawn or patches in the grass.
If a homeowner prefers to do some lawn care, such as mowing, but they aren't sure how and when to fertilize, they can work with a lawn care service for a plan that suits their specific needs. Many homeowners may like to hire a lawn care service seasonally as well.
Some other benefits of using a lawn care service include:
Every lawn has different needs. But there are some common questions that many customers searching for "yard maintenance near me" or "lawn care near me" have before hiring a new lawn care service.
Q. When should I use a lawn care service?One of the best landscaping companies or best lawn care services can be used for routine maintenance, such as fertilizing, weed control, and mowing, with the option of weekly, biweekly, or monthly visits. You may want to hire a lawn care company for seasonal cleanup in the fall or spring. You may also need to hire a lawn care specialist to restore diseased or unhealthy grass.
Q. How much does a lawn care service cost on average?The average national cost for lawn care services is around $130 per visit, though the exact cost will vary from company to company and will be based on the specific services the customer requests.
Q. Does a lawn care service come with its own tools?Yes. A lawn care service will provide everything needed to do the job, so customers won't need to worry about supplying any tools or equipment.
Q. Do I need to book a lawn care service in advance?Yes. Customers will need to book services in advance. They may be able to do so on the lawn care company's website, or they may be required to call to schedule service.
Q. Can I pay in advance for a lawn care service?It depends; every service has a different policy. Some will request a deposit, others bill after service is complete, and some might have a flat rate per month. Customers can do research (such as comparing TruGreen and Lawn Doctor) to determine the specific requirements for each lawn care service.
53-year-old Milwaukee Man Shot And Killed While Mowing His Lawn Near 28th And Villard
Prev NextA Milwaukee man was shot and killed near 28th and Villard on Monday.
A Milwaukee man was shot and killed while mowing his lawn near 28th and Villard on Monday.
Milwaukee police say the victim, a 53-year-old man, was struck around 12:45 p.M. He died from his injuries.
Submitted
William Czarnecki, also known as Bill, was shot and killed near 28th and Villard on Monday, July 31, 2023.The victim's family identified him as William Czarnecki but said he goes by Bill. Those living on Czarnecki's street say you would always see him with a smile on his face, taking care of his dog and his lawn. He was doing just that when someone drove by his home and took his life while he was mowing the lawn. Now, his loved ones are trying to figure out who would do this.
TMJ4 spoke to the mother of Czarnecki's daughter at the scene on Monday. She requested to stay anonymous but told TMJ4 she found out about the tragedy on Facebook.
"My heart dropped," said the woman. "Somebody off of Facebook contacted me and asked me 'Did I know what happened to my kid's dad?' I said no and then that's when they told me."
The woman says Czarnecki had just moved back to Milwaukee a few weeks ago and was getting his house ready for his daughter to visit this weekend.
"He's such a nice guy. Very nice. Outgoing, funny," she said. "He loved his dog, he loved his daughter."
Police are investigating what led up to the shooting and are seeking unknown suspects.
TMJ4
A Milwaukee man was shot and killed near 28th and Villard on Monday. Milwaukee police say the victim, a 53-year-old man, was fatally shot around 12:45 p.M.Earlier Monday morning, a 34-year-old man was also shot and killed in Milwaukee. Police say the homicide happened near 32nd and Cameron around 8:45 a.M.
Anyone with any information on either fatal shooting is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips App.
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