Bella Vista Questers Trail of Tears receives grants
The Bella Vista Questers Trail of Tears #904 recently received two separate grants, one from the Arkansas State Questers for $1,450 and the other from International Questers for $3,572 to aid in their restoration of the family-owned Gamble Cemetery in Centerton.
Beginning in 2017, the Questers Chapter has been raising matching funds to restore and preserve headstones and obelisks in the Civil War-era cemetery. Many early founders of Benton County communities have been interred there.
Nine headstones and two obelisks were restored two years ago at a cost of more than $6,300, with matching grant funding from both Arkansas State Questers and International Questers.
In the ensuing two years, there has been a clean up of the property by other groups and extensive work to remove vines and overgrowth. The building contractor in the area also built a fence to further protect the cemetery and enhance the beauty of the area.
The Trail of Tears group has been actively raising more money during the past two years in order to continue the project. A “Collections” sale was held, in which members donated portions of their antique and collectibles collections to raise funds. Several members and their husbands volunteered weekly at the Bella Vista Recycling Center, for which the group was paid, adding to the funding. Trail of Tears wants to thank the Recycling Center for its part in helping fund this project.
The Arkansas State Questers Convention was to be held April 7 and 8 in Hot Springs but, due to the pandemic, the convention was canceled. Nevertheless, the state executive board conducted an online vote and awarded the requested grant of $1,450.
The international convention that was scheduled to be held in Broomfield, Colo., on April 29 through May 4 was also canceled, but the Chapter’s request was considered, and again it was awarded its request for $3,572.
The group’s work was spearheaded by past president Esther Osbahr, Carolan Weaver, Sally Clapp, Ellen Gaconnier and current president Katy Van Note. They wish to thank the members of Trail of Tears for their tireless work.
Restoration will begin very soon on 27 headstones in the upcoming weeks. The total cost of the project will be $6,415. The Trail of Tears #904 also intends to purchase an appropriate marker indicating the work and dates of this restoration accomplishment.