MONTE VISTA — The Monte Vista Cemetery Association Board held its annual cleanup on Thursday, May 20.

Several people from the Center Kiwanis and the Alamosa Kiwanis and the Monte Vista Rotary Club showed up to lend a hand as well as several community minded individuals.

During the three-hour cleanup lots of pinecones and pine needles were gathered and dumped, trash was picked up and mowing for the season began.

“We can’t thank you enough for your help. This is truly a community space and effort,” the board stated. “The cemetery was alive with the sound of laughter, chatting, and activity. It was also evident that many of you had gone out and cleaned your own grave sites or family plots. We do appreciate that as well.”

Members of board will be at the cemetery on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with water, buckets and brushes to assist families in cleaning headstones. There will be a short Memorial Day service at 1:30 p.m. at the cemetery.

People who helped with the cleanup included — Center Kiwanians Daniel Golden, Ross Rierson, Chuck Howey and Ken Bartee; Amanda Wilkinson and Mason Wilkinson, Alamosa Kiwanis; Cathy Metz, Monte Vista Rotary; Jere Metz, Monte Vista Rotary; Karla Shriver, Monte Vista Rotary; Gene Farrish, Monte Vista Rotary; Terry LePlatt, Monte Vista Rotary; Don Nolan, Center Kiwanis; David Hinkle,y Monte Vista Rotary; and Annette Cortez, community member.