I haven't posted on here for a while. My family took a vacation down to Disney World (we drove) then Christmas was upon us once we got back. But this time of year, who expects anything less?

The big cemetery-related news in my world is that the fall/winter 2008 issue of Epitaphs Magazine (#8) is done. It features an article with a number of photos on the July 21 storm that hit Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. More than 125 trees were destroyed.

It also features:
- What Is a Chrismon Anyway? (Dusty Smith)
- The Lost Children (Colleen Loefler)
- Digging Into Cemeteries: The Growing Popularity of Cemetery Blogging
- Salzburg's Gardens of the Dead (Michele Jankowski)
- Cameras 101 (Joshua Inayat)
- Necropolis (Ryan Coffman)
- Photos by Steven Hernandez
- Taphophiles are Multiplying Like Rabbits: The Story Behind the Association of Gravestone Rabbits (William "Terry" Thornton)
- Photos by Mike Smith
- An Interview with Buddy Phaneuf of the Internet Cremation Society
- Why Should We Care? The International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, Inc.
- The Lost Children (Colleen Loefler)
- The Crypt Keeper (Giselle Ladoceur-Borowicz)
- Book reviews
- I "Heart" Cemeteries (photography by Alzi Clanton, Polly Yuill, Jimmy Short, Tammy Jo Fuller, Ryan Coffman, Steven Hernandez)
- Why I'm a Taphophile (Peter Denniston, New Zealand)
- Back cover photo by Polly Yuill

To order your copy (print or electronic, visit www.TheCemeteryClub.com.

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Epitaphs Magazine is Now Accepting Submissions for EM #9

Your submissions are needed! Send them in now to be part of Epitaphs Magazine #9. While all types of submissions of any theme are welcome, here are the themes I am looking for specifically:

- Metal work in the cemetery
- Scattering grounds
- Grave decorations (seasonal, etc.)
- Interesting epitaphs
- Strange angles (artsy photos)

Send your submissions in by Feb. 15 to:
minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com.

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Happy New Year, everyone!
Minda
www.TheCemeteryClub.com