The Graveyard Rabbit of the Quad Cities (IL/IA)

Just published a new book!

2011-08-28T21:27:00.001-07:00

While it's not prosey, it is helpful. It's called the "Cemetery Journal," and it's a great tool for you to use to log your cemetery research in while you make your way through the graveyard.

From the back cover: "If you spend your free time in cemeteries, you’re probably a taphophile (someone with a passion for cemeteries). And if you’re a taphophile, the odds are good that you enjoy researching them. From genealogists to historical researchers, this journal will help you keep track of all your cemetery information, grave by grave and cemetery by cemetery."

Check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/cemetery-journal/16691555

Let me know what you think!

Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

Another new video

2011-08-23T14:52:00.001-07:00

This one is a commercial for one of the many presentations I give.

Check this video out -- Cemetery Secrets - Presentations by Minda Powers-Douglas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynxTRFBCW5E&feature=share

Enjoy!

Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

Authors wanted!

2011-08-22T21:40:00.001-07:00

Are you a non-fiction author of a cemetery book? TheCemeteryClub.com wants to review your book! Contact me to send a review copy. Non-fiction books relating to death or grieving are welcome, as well as poetry within this theme.

-Minda

minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com

Do you love cemeteries? Do you have a video camera?

2011-08-22T21:19:00.001-07:00

If you answered "yes" to both these questions, then check out my video announcing the contest with your chance to have your own cemetery show hosted on www.TheCemeteryClub.com. And, yes, my spokesperson is a puppet (cemetery people have to have a sense of humor).

http://youtu.be/nNVnwfnMDkY

I can't wait for the entries to start coming in!

Happy cemetery haunting!

Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

New cemetery PSA

2011-08-22T20:52:00.001-07:00

I just finished a public service announcement on cemeteries and posted it on YouTube. This is my first use of iMovie in a few years. I didn't forget everything!

The cemetery featured in the video is Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. If you haven't visited it in person, you really should.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gw8ZV3RBgI

Happy cemetery haunting!

-Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

It's done!

2011-05-31T15:20:00.001-07:00

My new version of www.thecemeteryclub.com is live! Epitaphs Magazine Online is finally launched!

Laurel Hill Cemetery is recipient of a Preservation Achievement Award for restoration of Old Mortality Sculptural Group

2011-03-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

Laurel Hill Cemetery is recipient of a Preservation Achievement Award for restoration of Old Mortality Sculptural Group

http://bit.ly/hPEmyd

Latest cemetery and related news

2011-03-03T07:59:00.001-08:00

Last U.S. veteran of World War I passes away

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/02/28/us_obit_last_wwi_veteran_1/index.html

African-American Cemetery News - blog

http://africanamericancemeteries.com/news/

Poor stacked in mass graves in Illinois cemetery

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/17/ap/national/main20033141.shtml

Westboro funeral pickets are protected speech, high court rules

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/02/westboro-funeral-pickets-protected-speech-high-court-rules/

Excellent article. 'The way we grieve now'

2010-09-14T21:01:00.001-07:00

I just read an excellent article on grieving via Yahoo's Shine section. The examples it uses are celebrities, but there stories are no less touching than those of the average Jane's. Definitely worth a read.

It's been more than 11 years since my grandfather died, and I still feel the heart-stinging grief occasionally. I miss him greatly and wish he'd had the chance to meet my husband and especially our daughter. He would have been over the moon about her. It amazes me that the two people in my life who mean so much to me--my husband and daughter--never knew my Grandpa. He played such an important role in my life growing up; it just doesn't make sense on that inside level of me.

Wishing you love and joy,
Minda

'The way we grieve now' http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/the-way-we-grieve-now-2389801/

Green-Wood Cemetery - Artists of Permanent Residence - Sept. 17-19

2010-09-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

Green-Wood Cemetery

Subject: Artists in Permanent Residence @ Green-Wood 9/17-9/19/10

We have just added a spectacular new gallery exhibit, Artists of Permanent Residence, featuring select works of over 300 artists who call Green-Wood their final resting place.

This is a FREE sneak peek into the art collection of The Green-Wood Historic Fund and is up for a very limited engagement:

Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010––9 AM-7PM
at The Historic Chapel @ Green-Wood (500 25th St @ 5th Ave. in Brooklyn, NY) For more information and directions, visit http://www.facebook.com/l/28534hd8L9e3hqHT9e0GNIC6D3A;greenwoodcemetery.org

Upcoming cemetery-related events

2010-09-12T20:14:00.001-07:00

You won't want to miss these upcoming events! And, if you go, e-mail your experience to me for posting on my blog!

• The 2010 Gravediggers' Ball - Oct. 15, Philadelphia, Pa. http://thelaurelhillcemetery.org/

• Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, New York - fall walking tours and photography workshops. http://sleepyhollowcemetery.org/news-events/

• Historic Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia
     - Sunday in the Park, Oct. 3, noon to 6 p.m.
     - Halloween Tour, Oct. 22, 23, 24
     - Run Like Hell 5K (Heck for the kids) benefit run for the cemetery, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. - http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/run.html

• 11th annual Dia de Los Muertos - Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, Calif. - Oct. 30, 2 p.m. to midnight http://www.ladayofthedead.com/

• 2010 Day of the Dead calendar - http://diadelosmuertos.us/article/2010-day-of-the-dead-calendar

More events will be posted as I find them, receive them, etc.!

Wishing you joy,
Minda

Sharon Creech is my new hero

2010-08-27T14:08:00.001-07:00

This post is not necessarily cemetery-related, but, then again, just about everything is death-related if you think about it. So it is related in a way.

I'm a big fan of books on CD. I'm also a big fan of books in general, and you will rarely find me without one. But books on CD (now that I have my own car again--hubby and I shared one while he was unemployed) are wonderful things I enjoy immensely while in my car. Recent favorites include "Curse Workers: The White Cat" by Holly Black and "The Opposite of Invisible" by Liz Gallagher.

But my most favorite and treasured one is the one I just finished yesterday: "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech. It is glorious and delicious.

My current favorite books to listen to (and read) are from the young adult section. Just because they are written for younger people doesn't mean they lack in quality. In fact, I think that they can have more depth and insight to them than the average book written for an adult. Teens and younger people are constantly trying to figure themselves out. They know they are always in flux--that they are changing as much as the world around them. And they are working their way through it. There's a lot of introspection going on.

We adults are more concerned with the day-to-day drudgery than a kid. How am I going to pay the bills? When am I going to get a job? What are we going to do when the baby comes? What groceries do I need to buy? Are we out of toilet paper? Did I leave the stove on?

Kids, though, are thinking: Does he like me? Why did my best friend stop talking to me? Am I too ugly? Am I smart? Am I stupid? Will I get asked to the dance? Will she notice me? Does anybody notice me?

Yes, adults think of some of these things, too. But think back to when you were a kid. These things weighed on your mind like crazy. It wasn't about taking care of everyone else or providing for them (though there are kids who have those worries piled on them, too: Will mom ever get better? What if I have to choose between my parents? What will happen to me?).

This is one of the reasons why I like youth lit. Another is because there are a lot of cool ghost stories. Youth lit is all about the "what if" world. What if ghosts DO exist? What if vampires exist ... and I go to school with one and fall in love with one? What if I find out I'm a wizard?

Oh, joy and rapture! How fantastic is that!

I have read a lot of different genres of books. I dig non-fiction because I'm a life-learner. I dig Stephen King because he's my hero from way back. I like some chick lit ("Bridget Jones' Diary") and even some mysteries. Even some police detective mysteries, though I do veer away generally from descriptions like "a serial killer is on the loose, and Detective Holly Winters may be next on the list." I also stay away from descriptions including the word "grisly." I can handle some graphic stuff if it works with the story, but seriously. Grisly?

So the next time you're at the library or your favorite bookstore, check out the young adult section. Really give the covers a look. You'll probably find something great. Then go to the "C" section and pick up Creech's "Walk Two Moons." You won't regret it.

Huzza! Huzza!

Wishing you inspiration and love,

Minda

Kelton Family to be Recognized at Green Lawn

2010-08-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Kelton Family to be Recognized at Green Lawn

(Press release from Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio)

The Kelton family, whose home on East Town Street is a local tourist
attraction, will be featured at the Sept. 4 First Saturday at Green Lawn
program.

Georgeanne Reuter, director of the Kelton House, will present a slide
lecture on the Kelton House Museum & Garden and talk about the Kelton
family that is buried at Green Lawn. The family home in the East Town
Street Historic District has been restored and is maintained by the
Junior League of Columbus.

The program, free and open to the public, will be held at 11 a.m. in the
Huntington Chapel in the middle of Green Lawn, 1000 Greenlawn Ave

Reuter’s presentation will trace the home’s history through the eyes of
three generations who lived there, including the vision of Grace Kelton,
the last Kelton in residence, who left her home to the Columbus
Foundation with instructions to find an organization that would restore
the home to its 1850s appearance and create a museum of local history and
the decorative arts.

The slide show will feature in-process photographs of the Museum’s
restoration and the efforts of early volunteers to create a museum.
Attendees will see photographs of the Museum’s carriage house before it
was restored and the garden before its major revitalization. They will
also see photographs of the restored interiors, selected from authentic
styles of the mid-19th century and other components of the Museum’s
collection.

The presentation will also include discussions of the Museum’s
educational offerings: tours, lectures, holiday presentations, and the
programs offered by the Museum’s Underground Railroad Learning Station.

First Saturday at Green Lawn is a presentation of the Green Lawn
Volunteers and recognizes people buried at the state’s second-largest
cemetery for their role in local history.

The Keltons are among the 150,000 people buried at Green Lawn since it
was established Aug. 2, 1848. The cemetery covers 360 acres, 80 of which
are undeveloped.

For further information on the cemetery, visit www.greenlawncolumbus.org
or call the office at614-444-1123. Information about the Green Lawn
Volunteers can also be found on the Web page, by calling 614-266-5218 or
by e-mailing sandlot17@juno.com.

Green Lawn Cemetery
1000 Greenlawn Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43223

www.greenlawncolumbus.org

Linda Burkey, General Manager
614-444-1123

Sandi Latimer, Volunteer Coordinator
614-878-4214 (home)
614-255-4218 (cell)

Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery: Classy Broads and Daring Dames: Marking the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

2010-08-18T07:21:00.001-07:00

Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia is the cemetery I want to spend quality time in. Actually, I want to WORK there. They always have amazing programs going on. And tonight's is going to be fantastic. Unfortunately I'll be in Illinois and hundreds of miles away. But if you live in or near Philly, YOU can attend this great event.

Classy Broads and Daring Dames: Marking the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment *TWILIGHT TOUR* What do a ballerina, a sculptor, a maker of pyrotechnic devices, and a kindergarten leader have in common? First, they’re all buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Second, they all happen to be women whose accomplishments in life have been largely neglected, devalued and forgotten throughout history… But, we are now working to right this wrong, unearthing their stories, and ensuring that they are told for all to hear!

Wednesday, Aug. 18 - 6 p.m. - $20

Laurel Hill Cemetery
tel. 215-228-8200
fax. 215-228-7940
3822 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132

http://www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

NY Times: City Cemeteries Face Gridlock

2010-08-16T19:49:00.001-07:00

(Special thanks to Catmoves, who posted this on my Yahoo group interview_taphophile@yahoogroups.com.)

August 13, 2010

The New York Times

By MARC SANTORA

THOSE of us among the living all know New York City can be maddeningly expensive, whether one is shopping for a $40 million mansion on Fifth Avenue or a $2,500 studio walk-up in a former tenement on the Lower East Side.

For the dead, however, virtually no amount of money will secure a final resting place in the heart of a city that is fast running out of graveyard space.

And in the parts of town where a burial plot is still available, the cost has in some cases more than tripled in less than a decade; aboveground mausoleums can fetch upward of $3 million. Cemeteries are scrambling to create more space, and as plot prices have soared, the number of cremations has also risen, with a quarter of New Yorkers choosing the less expensive alternative.

Trinity Church Cemetery in Washington Heights, the last operating graveyard in Manhattan, has stopped selling plots, offering burial only in the most “extraordinary circumstances,” or to people with long-held reservations.

The largest Jewish graveyard in Brooklyn, Washington Cemetery, ran out of land in the winter after tearing up roads and pathways to utilize every cubic inch of ground. Evergreens and Cypress Hills, also in Brooklyn, may sprawl, but not enough, and dozens of smaller cemeteries spread across the five boroughs are squeezed, too. The city’s largest Catholic cemetery, Calvary in Queens, is close to capacity. And even the most famous of them all, Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, has only about five more years before it will be forced to stop selling plots.

More than 50 years have passed since a major cemetery was established within the city, and no new burial grounds are planned. But New Yorkers continue to die, some 60,000 a year.

Accordingly, per square foot, burial plots in centrally located cemeteries rival the most expensive real estate in the city. A private mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx can easily cost more than $1,000 per square foot.

“We have people who would like to disinter Mom and Dad and sell the graves back to make some money,” said Richard Fishman, the director of the New York State Division of Cemeteries.

There are state laws limiting the profits on resold graves, but the fact that people would be willing to go to such lengths, Mr. Fishman said, illustrates just how valuable burial plots have become.

“There is a serious shrinkage in the available grave space,” Mr. Fishman said. “How many years out for each individual cemetery depends on a number of factors, but space is definitely tight.”

Other major urban areas have taken measures to alleviate similar space crunches. London allows people to be buried upright, while cemeteries in Singapore and Sydney, among others, offer “limited tenure,” cemetery-speak for digging up bodies after a certain amount of time so that the plot can be reused.

New York City is not now contemplating graveyard evictions, although the state did pass a law several years ago that allows cemeteries to take over empty plots bought more than 75 years ago if the owner cannot be reached. Maple Grove in Queens has already reclaimed more than 150 graves, and many other cemeteries are taking similar action, state officials said.

In fact, cemetery operators have begun to resort to the kind of creative use of space that many a Manhattan landlord might envy — squeezing coffins into every barren inch, narrowing paths, stacking coffins nine-deep.

“We are apparently one of the first that ran out of burial space,” said Dominick Tarantino, who runs Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn, “but the other ones, I don’t think they are too far behind me.”

From his office, the rumble of the F train can be heard as it slices through the graveyard. Look in any direction from the elevated platform at the Bay Parkway stop, and the crowding is evident, with graves pushing up against auto-body shops, apartment buildings and busy intersections. The paths are just wide enough for a golf cart; the old roads were sacrificed to tombstones. Coffins have to be unloaded from hearses outside the gate.

“We have had bribes offered, sure,” Mr. Tarantino said. “But we have nothing to be bribed for. We have no room.”

Just as the architecture on a city street reveals the history of the time, so do the headstones in the graveyard, which was established in 1841. There are the extravagant monuments favored in the 1920s, reminders of the boom before the Depression. Tiny white sandstone markers — the “baby graves,” as the head groundskeeper, Charlie Anderson, calls them — pop up in clusters, their fading dates coinciding with various epidemics.

On newer headstones, almost uniformly made of black marble, etched portraits of the deceased stare out at visitors. This is the style favored by the Russian Jews from neighboring Brighton Beach, who have been pleading for more room to bury their dead.

The cemetery has made a bid on an adjacent house. Even though the owner is asking a hefty sum — $1.4 million, down from $1.8 million — for a small house that sits on less than an acre of land, it makes economic sense for the cemetery to buy it.

But before Washington acquires more turf, Mr. Tarantino has quite a few bureaucratic hurdles to clear, including securing the approval of the City Council.

“The city does not make it too easy for us to buy land for cemetery use,” he said one recent afternoon before heading off to meet with political leaders. If the cemetery does get the property, there is little doubt the plots will go quickly.

“Even if he could only make 400 new plots, they would sell in a week,” said Mr. Fishman of the Division of Cemeteries.

The price for a plot before the cemetery ran out of them was $12,000. New plots would very likely be even more expensive.

“Any little piece of land, we are really getting a premium for,” Mr. Tarantino said. And when he says little piece of land, he means that literally.

Despite the bulging waistlines that have necessitated bigger casket sizes across the country, Washington Cemetery is strict: no caskets more than 26 inches wide.

“They got to squeeze them into the box,” Mr. Anderson said.

The plots themselves are 30 inches wide, 7 feet long and 6 feet deep. They are so close to one another that as workers prepared a site for a burial earlier this month, they had to make sure that the coffins buried in neighboring plots did not tumble into the new grave.

It might seem that an enterprising developer could find a way to make a lucrative business out of providing burial space.

But that has not happened.

First, by law, cemeteries in New York State must be nonprofit institutions. There are 35 privately owned cemeteries in the city and several dozen with religious affiliations. The closer to Manhattan and major transportation, the more crowded and expensive a burial ground will be. Farther away, particularly in Staten Island and parts of the Bronx, space is available. The indigent of New York City are buried on Hart Island in Long Island Sound.

Woodlawn, which was part of Westchester County when it was founded in 1863 but was later incorporated into the Bronx, still has burial room. It hopes to be able to offer graves for another 40 to 50 years, but that relative abundance hasn’t kept its prices down.

“We want to have enough saved so that the income from the trust, once we are closed and have nothing left to sell, is enough to maintain the cemetery,” said John P. Toale Jr., the president of Woodlawn.

While there is a space crunch in the city, there is more space in the suburbs, and cemeteries in upstate New York can barely give away plots, state officials said. Many New Yorkers who struggled and saved to live in the city end up buried elsewhere.

Even as the broader real estate market languished in the recession, prices for graves in the city continued skyward. The state regulates the fees a cemetery can charge for services like excavation, but graves sell at market price. So burial plots are a cemetery’s revenue-generator.

However, the trust funds set up by cemeteries to provide income for operating costs have taken a hit, just as other institutional investments have. The number of people buying graves as part of estate planning has also dropped significantly, cemetery officials said. One reason for the decline is that 25 percent of all those who die in the city are opting to be cremated, up from 10 percent a little over a decade ago.

Prices vary from cemetery to cemetery. At land-rich Woodlawn, a single-depth grave for one starts at $6,995. A double-depth plot begins at $7,995, and a family plot ranges from $64,995 to $1.575 million.

At Green-Wood, the sprawling cemetery in Brooklyn, space is harder to come by, and entry-level prices for in-ground burial reflect this, starting at $11,000.

At Trinity’s graveyard in Washington Heights, in-ground plots are sold only in extraordinary circumstances, as when former Mayor Edward I. Koch asked that a special Jewish enclave be created in the Episcopal cemetery so that he could be laid to rest in the heart of the city he once ran. He paid $20,000 for the privilege.

Like other cemeteries short on space, Trinity has resorted to aboveground crypts, which start at $9,000.

Now that an end to plot sales is in sight, Green-Wood is seeking to transform its image, according to Richard J. Moylan, its president. The graveyard charges admission for guided tours, giving people a chance to saunter through time among the tombstones of the notable and the notorious. The hope is that it will become much like Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, a magnet for tourists.

For now, though, most city cemeteries are not so much concerned with drawing the living as finding room for the dead.

And as is true in all real estate, it’s about location. Just as the apartment-hunter pays more to be near a park or to secure a sweeping view, the address within the cemetery often affects the price tag.

Being buried under a tree is more desirable than being out in the open. A plot that is easy to get to can be more valuable than one in the back 40. A neighborhood of ornate Victorian marble can cost more than an avenue of flat, mowable markers. And then there are the specific needs and wants of different cultural groups.

For instance, many Asians prefer to be buried on hilltops.

“The Chinese especially, they will literally buy the whole mountaintop,” Mr. Fishman said. “They would pay a fortune for that.”

Even a fortune, however, cannot buy a hilltop once there are no more hilltops to be bought.

Spirits in October - Riverside Cemetery, Macon, GA

2010-08-09T14:49:00.001-07:00

Oh, how I wish I lived closer to Macon, Georgia. I would love to take part in their Spirits in October events! I'm on their e-mail list, so I get the latest and greatest news about Riverside Cemetery in Macon. The text links probably won't work, but this one will take you to the site: http://bit.ly/cOw1vH

Here's the scoop:

Help us bring history to life...

...during guided tours of Riverside Cemetery's premiere event, Spirits in October! Past participants have reported "finding a deeper connection to the past...and stories I will not forget."

This event is produced by a partnership of Historic Riverside Cemetery Conservancy, Historic Macon and Cox Capitol Theatre. Proceeds from the event benefit these three non-profit organizations.

For more information, visit our website or the Spirits in October Facebook page, email us, or contact us at (478) 742-5328.

Spirits in October needs YOUR help!!!

Sister Mary Edward (Katie Manning) hands out candy to good girls and boys

We need volunteers for our third annual Spirits in October event. If you enjoy history, speak well in public, can be a gracious host, or just appreciate the intangible benefit that comes from helping to preserve one of our community's most treasured landmarks, then, one (or all) of the areas below might be perfect for you!

Live in or near Macon, GA? Volunteer for Spirits in October at Riverside Cemetery! http://bit.ly/cOw1vH

If you participate, let me know how it goes!

Minda

minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com

Cemeteries and events in the news

2010-07-27T11:30:00.001-07:00

Check out the latest stories about cemeteries and cemetery events in the news:

• NPR story: Scientists Stalk Cemeteries For Signs Of Wildlife http://n.pr/awKpqH http://n.pr/awKpqH

• Lauren Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia - Wednesday, July 28, 6 p.m. - "A Twilight Tour & Toast to Our Famous Fishtowners" - cost is $20 for public, $17 for members, $15 for seniors/students - www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org

• Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of Chicago: http://www.catholiccemeterieschicago.org/cemeterynews.php

• Problems of neglect, ownership confusion linger at historic Lincoln Cemetery - Montgomery, Ala. -
http://africanamericancemeteries.com/news/

• McCaskill: Arlington Cemetery grave gaffe growing - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38419873/ns/us_news/

• Historic spotlight: Forest Llewellyn Cemetery - http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=480329

• Skokie Cemetery tells father of Iraq war veteran Albert Bitton to take down flags - http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/skokie-cemetery-albert-bitton-war-veteran-flags-20100726

The latest: Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery records now online

2010-07-13T11:16:00.001-07:00

(info from their e-newsletter)

Laurel Hill Cemetery's Interment Records Are Now Available Online!

In the spirit of Independence Day, Laurel Hill Cemetery hereby declares our freedom from paper burial records! After years of planning, fundraising and hard work, our record of interments is finally available online!

Though our burial records are now digitized, our work is far from complete. We are in fact currently in the process of raising funds for the second phase of records digitization. The successful completion of this forthcoming phase will result in a digital copy of every lot file and interment record contained in Laurel Hill's Archives, from 1836 to the present day.

We now seek the support of our patrons, friends, lot holders, and the many genealogists and researchers who have used our Archives over the years. Please help us to realize the completion of our records digitization through a fully tax-deductible, charitable donation.

Final Submissions Deadline for 175 Years of Reflections booklet is approaching - July 30th

The Friends are in the process of preparing a commemorative booklet to mark Laurel Hill's 175th anniversary in 2011. Tentatively titled 175 Years of Reflections, Laurel Hill Cemetery, 1836-2011, this pocket-sized text will include personal recollections and artistic representations - both historic and contemporary - on or about our famed National Historic Landmark site. We welcome your submissions! They can include a piece of original, creative text about the Cemetery, such as a poem, the recounting of a personal experience had while here, or a meditation on what Laurel Hill means to you. Reflections can also include original renderings of the site, ranging from charcoal sketches, oil paintings, sculpture, collage, photography and mixed media. Visit the website for details: http://thelaurelhillcemetery.org/index.php?m=6&id=7

JULY EVENTS

Sat. July 24, 7pm

The Ghosts Among Our Graves:

A Paranormal Investigation of Laurel Hill

$30/per, $27/members, $25 seniors+students

Wed. July 28, 6pm

A Twilight Tour and Toast to Our Famous Fishtowners

$20/per, $17/members; $15 seniors+students

To register for any of our July events, please call (215) 228-8200 or email tours@thelaurelhillcemetery.org.

Riverside Cemetery event in Denver, CO

2010-07-13T09:09:00.001-07:00

Walk-A-Bout: "The Other Side of Riverside"
Saturday, July 17th at 9:00am.

Due to popular demand for this tour we are doing it again, this time with even more unusual people and monuments! And, to help celebrate Old Globeville Days there will be special emphasis on Globeville stories and the orthodox section of the cemetery.

Tour guide Jeff Stoffel will highlight some of Riverside's unsung and colorful residents. We'll also discuss the symbolism and materials of the monuments and art as well as some info on the flora and fauna of the park.

The walk starts at the office at 9 am and we'll wrap up by 11 am. Bring sunscreen, sun umbrella's, water and your walking shoes. Please keep in mind there are no facilities at Riverside.

After the tour take a short drive to the Orthodox Food Festival & Old Globeville Days for a cold drink and a plate of the best ethnic festival food in Denver.

Enjoy authentic food, entertainment and live music from Russia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Greece & Mexico. Also enjoy a look at the historical landmark church with it's beautiful iconography. Co-presented by Holy Transfiguration Cathedral and the Globeville Civic Assn. more information, http://orthodoxfoodfestival.wetpaint.com/

The Event is held at Argo Park, right across the street Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral at 47th and Logan St. in Denver.

Both these events are free. We'll keep the tour to 20 people, please drop an email if you plan to attend the 9 am tour to events@friendsofriversidecemetery.org.

Learn More About the Globeville Story

Interested in learning more about Globeville? Check out the Globeville Story blog website written by Mary Lou Egan to find out more about the history of the area.

Contribute to The Riverside Scout: Stories and Ephemera of Denver's Oldest Cemetery

Board member Dave Cass sends word that he is looking for more stories about Riverside to post on our new website, The Riverside Scout. The Riverside Scout is dedicated to presenting stories and ephemera of Denver's Oldest Cemetery. Have a story you want to tell? Let Dave know by emailing him at history@friendsofriversidecemetery.org. Otherwise, check it out at 1876.friendsofriversidecemetery.org.

Contact Information

If you have an idea or suggestion we encourage you to get in touch with us:

Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery
PO Box 16712
Denver CO 80216
friends@friendsofriversidecemetery.org

The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery is a volunteer-run 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and promoting preservation of Denver's oldest cemetery.

So what's next?

2010-07-08T11:42:00.001-07:00

In March 2010, my latest book came out, "Images of America: Chippiannock Cemetery." We had a wonderful book launch party at the Hauberg Civic Center in Rock Island, Illinois. The Center was originally John and Suzanne Hauberg's mansion. The Haubergs were major philanthropists in the area and are featured in the book.

Since then, I did a book signing tour of the Quad Cities. Borders, Barnes & Noble, the Village of East Davenport, Sam's Club ... I was a veritable Stephen King! Of cemetery books. LOL Maybe my books haven't sold millions (yet!), but I'm pretty happy.

The response I've received from people has been great. So many people who grew up around the cemetery bought the book and told me how much they learned about the monuments they used to play around as kids.

What means the most to me about writing is being able to share what I've learned with other people. It's actually an honor.

So what's next? What cemetery will I write about? What tales will I tell? Who or what will they be about?

In the works is a book about Oakdale Memorial Gardens in Davenport, Iowa. I'm also talking with some fellow taphophile friends about a book of cemetery photography by The Ladies of Cemetery Photography. I'd love to write a book about my favorite cemetery in New Orleans.

And don't forget that I'm working on getting the next issue of Epitaphs Magazine out. Yes, I'm starting to sound like a broken record about that! We've had a number of health issues, etc., in the family, and family comes first. So I am far from shouting about a deadline for it. But I will keep you posted. It's going to have some good stuff in it.

I can say that it felt really good a couple of weekends ago to get out in the cemetery and take photos. It had been a while.

As far as this weekend, I won't be hitting the cemetery. What I will be doing this weekend is performing the wedding ceremony for my cousin and his fiance. That's an honor for me, too.

Peace to all of you,

Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

I need to blog more

2009-11-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

Since I've not really stayed strong in the habit of blogging, I'm going to resolve to do more of it--for this one and my work one.

So here's the latest in cemetery news ...

At least he had a reason: Man takes sledge hammer to grave marker when woman refuses to date him (yeah, that's gonna help)
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20091110_ap_sledgehammeredgravemarkertobereplaced.html

Daily Telegraph helps launch campaign for Britain's First National War Cemetery
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6514299/Daily-Telegraph-helps-launch-campaign-for-National-War-Cemetery.html

New York Marble Cemetery: The Cemetery Down The Alley
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-carr/the-cemetery-down-the-all_b_350764.html

As October ends ...

2009-10-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

It's officially October now at the end of the month. Rainy, moist, cold then warm and humid. The smell of fallen leaves and rain water.

When I think of October at other times of the year, what comes to mind are vibrant colors, cool crisp air, pumpkins and leaves. When I think of Halloween, first I think of all the cool stuff ... then of rainy, yucko nights trick-or-treating. Well, October is here in her yuckiest. Ah, well. It's all good no matter what. It's fall!

But as the ground gets wetter, the winds get stronger and the days get shorter, it means there is less time to spend in the cemeteries. On the bright side, there's more time to curl up with those cemetery books you've been wanting to read. You know the ones, they've been piling up on your shelves while you've been out among the graves snapping pictures.

If you don't have a stack of books ready, though, here's a list for you to check out:

- Cemetery Walk (of course!) by Minda Powers-Douglas
- Stories in Stone by Doug Keister
- Translating Tombstones by Minda (though this is best used out in the field as a reference)
- Cemetery Stories by Katherine Ramsland
- Your Guide to Cemetery Research by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
- Cemeteries and Gravemarkers by Richard Meyer (great essays/papers throughout!)
- Stones and Bones of New England by Lisa Rogak (I'm going to finally read this one myself ... been sitting on my shelf, waiting)
- New Orleans Cemeteries by Robert Florence (love it!)

What about you? What cemetery books do you like best or have on your shelf to read?

Happy Halloween!
Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

One event added, another cancelled

2009-10-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to Michigan for the Victorian Halloween event.

BUT, I will be giving a gravestone rubbing demonstration/talk during the Apple Festival this weekend in LeClaire, Iowa! Be there at 1 p.m. to learn about this cool artwork that allows you to read unreadable gravestones and "capture" them to take with you.

All the best,
Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

The latest

2009-09-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about the approach of Halloween. I'm looking into traveling up to Michigan to take part in "A Victorian Haunting Experience" with my friend Scary Amy Williamson. That takes place Oct. 30-31. I really hope to make it. If I do, I'll be presenting a workshop on gravestone rubbing on Oct. 31. (For more info: http://www.amywilliamson.net/)

I'm planning to be at the Illinois State Genealogical Society annual conference Oct. 24 in Elgin, Illinois. I'll have a booth. Should be fun! http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilsgs/

Other things I'm doing? Making haunted dollhouse furniture! How cool is that? Very. Check some out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7268393

I gave cemetery symbolism tours last Saturday at Oakdale Memorial Gardens' Forget-Me-Not Victorian Day in Davenport, Iowa. It was a great time. Thanks to all who participated!

On top of all that, I just finished by latest book "Chippiannock Cemetery" a few weeks ago. It's all about Chippiannock Cemetery, a garden cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. It was established in 1856, and it's gorgeous. It's still active and will be for hundreds of years to come. It will be published by Arcadia in 2010.

For other things I've been doing or will be doing, check out my website: www.TheCemeteryClub.com

Love and spooky things,

-Minda

1,500-year-old burial ground needs your help

2009-07-10T09:01:00.001-07:00

Make your voice known on this!

Oxford, Alabama Destroying A 1500-Year-Old Indian Mound To Build A Sam's Club

Read this blog to learn about how this burial mound is being destroyed and how you can help stop it.

http://www.deepfriedkudzu.com/2009/07/oxford-alabama-destroying-1500-year-old.html

Slacker blogger, busy writer/photographer

2009-06-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! It's been ages, I know. So here's a quick update.

I'm speaking at the Green County Genealogical Society conference tomorrow in Monroe, Wis., on cemetery art and giving a workshop on gravestone rubbings. I can't wait! Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE talking cemeteries!

I'll also be teaching these classes in the fall:

- Digging into Local History through Our Cemeteries -

Learn about Quad Cities history in this fascinating and unique class. The class will focus on three cemeteries: Chippiannock in Rock Island, Riverside in Moline and Oakdale Memorial Gardens in Davenport. This is the perfect class for those interested in history, genealogy and, of course, cemeteries. Ms. Powers-Douglas is the author of the recently published books “Cemetery Walk” and “Translating Tombstones” and is the editor of “Epitaphs Magazine.” If you have questions for the instructor ahead of time, e-mail them to minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com.

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2-4 p.m.
Rock Island, Ill.
Cost and location TBA

- Class name: D.I.Y. Book Publishing -

Do you have a book that you want to get published but don’t know the first thing about it? Do you want to write a book but you just want to print a small amount of books for family and friends? In this class you will learn from a self-published author, what steps are involved in self-publishing, the positives and negatives of using print-on-demand, and how to publish with little to no money. You may e-mail advance questions to instructor Minda Powers-Douglas (author of “Cemetery Walk,” “Translating Tombstones” and editor of “Epitaphs Magazine”) via minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com.

This is a great class for genealogists and taphophiles who want to do more with their research.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to noon
Rock Island, Ill.
Cost and location TBA

Aside from working away on my book "Chippiannock Cemetery," which will be out later this year or early next year, I'll be working on the new issue of Epitaphs Magazine soon. So if you don't hear from me for another spell, that's why!

Now get off your computer and get into those cemeteries!

Minda

A Tribute to Mel Blanc

2009-03-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

I've been asked many times what my favorite epitaph or gravestone is. And while I do really like "I told you I was sick," I cannot say that it's my favorite. My favorite epitaphs is carved on a grave I have never seen in person. Mel Blanc's in Hollywood forever. I know no more fitting an epitaph than his:

"That's All Folks"
Mel Blanc
Man of 1000 Voices
Beloved Husband and Father
1908-1989

Today's tribute to Mel Blanc is not just because of his grave marker. It's because of the man. After my daughter and I came home this morning from picking up doughnuts, we found that my husband had put in a documentary about Mr. Blanc. I believe it's from the Looney Tunes Golden Collection. I didn't realize that he did so many Hanna Barbera voices as well. He was the voice of Captain Caveman! My favorite! I love how Captain Caveman would just randomly pull things out of all the hair covering his body. Anything from a club to a piano or something.

Garry Owen (announcer and voice of Space Ghost) called him "the top voice in the history of animation." I completely agree.

Mr. Blanc, you are dearly missed.

RIP Louie Belson

2009-03-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

As you may know, jazz musician (drummer and composer) Mr. Louie Bellson Jr. passed away on Feb. 14, 2009.

While he was born in Rock Falls, Illinois, Mr. Bellson grew up in my hometown, Moline, Ill. Mr. Bellson was a 1942 graduate of my high school alma mater, Moline High School. His last performance in the Quad Cities was at the Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa. He was born Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni on July 6, 1924.

Referred to by Duke Ellington as "the world's greatest drummer and musician," he has the "second highest number of appearances at the White House (only Bob Hope had more)" and was acclaimed by music greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and more.

Honestly, I don't know a lot about Louie Bellson or his music. I just knew that he made Moline very proud, and that people who did know him were happy they did.

As a Moline native as well as the wife of a singer and musician, I'm posting this to honor a man who brought joy to many people and whose music will continue to do so for years and years to come.

Mr. Bellson was buried in my neighborhood in Riverside Cemetery in Moline. These photos were taken the day after his burial on March 4. He has been laid to rest beside his father, Louie Bellson Sr.

Rest in peace.

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2009/02/17/news/local/doc499995a7ac634440960797.txt

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/feb/18/louie-bellson-obituary

Field Trip to Springfield, Ill. - May 2, 2009

2009-03-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Field Trip to Springfield, Ill. - May 2, 2009

**Note: We were originally going to visit the Museum of Funeral Customs, but I recently discovered that it has closed. So the trip has changed a bit. I have contacted a representative with "Reflections: The American Funeral" mobile exhibition. This exhibition travels around to various areas that "rent" it. I looked into the possibility of it coming to the Quad Cities, but it costs around $4,000 for a three-day minimum stay. Yikes! It will be in Springfield for a funeral director convention on May 2, and prior to that it will be in Oregon. This is an excellent chance to see this traveling exhibition.**

TheCemeteryClub.com is hosting a field trip to Springfield, Ill., leaving from Davenport, Iowa, on Saturday, May 2. Though details are still being confirmed, the trip itinerary will include:

- Depart from Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport, Iowa @ 8:30 a.m.
- Arrive in Springfield @ 11:30 a.m.
- Lunch @ 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
- "Reflections: The American Funeral" mobile exhibition @ 12:45- 1:45 p.m.
- Oak Ridge Cemetery and Lincoln's Tomb @ 2-4:30 p.m.
- Dinner @ 4:30-5:15 p.m.
- Lincoln’s Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore @ 5:30-7 p.m.
- Depart Springfield
- Arrive back in Davenport @ 10:30 p.m.

We'll be renting 1-2 large passenger vans for the trip.

15 participant minimum for the trip, so invite your family and friends!

Departure time from Davenport, Iowa: 8:30 a.m.
Estimated return time to Davenport: 10 p.m.

Cost will be $45 per person, including Lincoln's Ghost Walk fee (through Springfield Walks). Meals are not included.

Registration and payment must be made by April 15. Send an e-mail to Minda to reserve your spot, and a PayPal invoice will be sent to you (payment may be made via PayPal or check).

If you live outside the immediate area, you may also join us on the field trip for the discounted price of $22 per person. E-mail Minda for details: minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com

I hope you can make it!

--
Minda Powers-Douglas
Editor
Epitaphs Magazine
PO Box 1163
Moline, IL 61266-1163

minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

If I post more, will you follow me anywhere?

2009-03-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

I may not have posted for a while, but I've got a good post coming up. In fact, if you miss it and don't tell all of your online and offline friends to follow me, you will sooo be missing out. It's a tale of intrigue, love, lust and debauchery. It's the best of times, it's the worst of times. It's the final nail in the coffin.

What is it? I haven't thought of it yet. But when I do, it will be awesome!!!!!

Minda

Cemetery of the Day - Mt. Hope in Bangor, Maine

2009-02-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

Mt. Hope is the subject of my cemetery of the day. I love Mt. Hope. It is a lovely garden cemetery in Bangor, Maine (the town made famous by Stephen King just because he lives there--when he's not in Florida). It was established in 1834 and is the second garden style cemetery in America. It consists of 300 acres of rolling hills, beautiful trees, ponds and just plain loveliness.

In 2004, my husband and I traveled to New England. One of my dreams had been to go to Maine. Ever since reading my first Stephen King book (Firestarter; I was in sixth grade), I wanted to go to Maine. I wanted to live in Maine. I hadn't even been there, and I knew it would be magnificent. And it is. It was a long time coming. We drove from Boston to Bangor, and let me just say that Maine is a really big state. It's as long as Illinois, and that's long. But it was worth the trip. Not only did we get to stand in front of Stephen King's house (I wasn't stalking you really, Mr. King), we also found Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Not only is Mt. Hope historical and beautiful, which are the two things that bring me to cemeteries, it was also featured in the movie Pet Sematary, based on the King book. The horror-meister also appeared in the movie.

I wandered the grounds as much as I could, taking pictures of everything. But there was so much. So much I wanted to see and still do. I saw incredible sculpture, white bronze, modern military memorials, tiny simple markers, and the little metal markers that the cemetery uses until a stone can be placed (but this one dated back many decades).

If you are ever near this cemetery, do not miss the chance to visit. It is indeed worth the time. and you'll want to take a lot of time there.

To learn more about Maine's Mt. Hope, please visit: http://www.mthopebgr.com/

I'm getting ticked now

2009-02-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

Why aren't my links coming through on here? Grrrr.

http://twitter.com/cemeteryminda

Forgot the URL

2009-02-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

You can Twitter me, tweet me, buy me cookies here. Or there. Clicky abovey.

Did you know ...?

2009-02-16T20:06:00.000-08:00

Did you know that I'm on Twitter? I didn't either!!! Well, I did, but then I forgot. And then I got a whole new deal, so I could start fresh. So I did, and now I am. And I've been tweeting tonight and a little bit earlier. But I wasn't sure what to say. So I linked to this blog. And now you're reading my blog, and I'm telling you about Twitter. So you'll probably (maybe) go to Twitter to find me, and then it will direct you back here. Then you'll read this post and go back to Twitter, which will send you back here ... to which you will agree with me that I wish I could access Facebook from the home wireless connection any time I want to because I'm probably much less annoying on Facebook because people expect my antics on FB. But not here. Face it, I seldom post here. Because I've been lame. I'm hoping to resolve that. Is that the right word? Rectify? Requiem? This is what I get for eating a big, delicious cookie when I should be getting ready for bed.

I love cookies.

Cemetery of the Day - Holt Cemetery, New Orleans

2009-02-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

To get myself back in the swing of blogging, I've decided to select a cemetery of the day and do a little show-and-tell. The first cemetery I've selected is my favorite in New Orleans.

Holt Cemetery

The first time I visited this cemetery back in December 2003, I fell in love with it. Holt is a cemetery for the poor and indigent, but I can't say it's a poor cemetery for it is rich with life and remembrances.

I've visited a great number of cemeteries, but not have the heart and sweet intensity of Holt. Located at 635 City Park Ave., it's near Delgado Community College but not much else, really. In fact, when I went back in December 2005, the cab driver and I had a heck of a time finding it.

It's often overgrown with weeds and tall grass. The grave markers (not all are gravestones) can get swallowed up in the greenery. But even though the ground is difficult to navigate (interments here are actually underground burials) due to the shifting of the earth from sinking graves, the lack of vaults and the tempestuous weather that New Orleans in known for, it's worth the risk of a twisted ankle to get into the thick of things at Holt.

Holt was established in 1879 and is owned by the city. While plots are no longer sold, burials still take place on the grounds in family plots. In fact, when I was there on a whirlwind tour with New Orleans historian and tour guide Rob Florence, a burial was taking place. First I didn't realize it was a burial. There was no back hoe, no family was present. Just one man with a shovel. The casket (assuming there was one) must have already been in the hole. I have a photo of the gravedigger at work in my book "Cemetery Walk." When I asked Rob why he wasn't using the modern equipment, he told me that the big equipment couldn't maneuver on the grounds. A back hoe would tip over and be of no use. All the grave and dug by hand, the old-time traditional way.

The grave markers themselves range from traditional gravestones to handmade. One grave has a coping made of white-painted cinder blocks. Some have crosses with names and dates painted on them. Others merely have upright pieces of wood with the names without any dates. In a family plot, people are essentially stacked upon one another as they are buried. Eventually all the bones mix together. In fact, it is not uncommon for pieces of bones to rise to the surface in this cemetery. During the clean-up day I attended after Hurricane Katrina, I came across a number of bones. It's hard to describe what that was like. I come from the Midwest, land of perfectly trimmed garden cemeteries. People are buried neatly in caskets and inside vaults. At Holt, there could be a wooden coffin, maybe a casket, maybe nothing. I can't say for sure, but it's a different world in that cemetery.

While Holt may sound like a sad place, it is just the opposite. For me, at least. It's a very active cemetery. Toys and flowers and objects of love are constantly placed throughout the cemetery. A child who died in the 1970s still has fresh toys left on her grave. Money doesn't mean everything. Holt gives new meaning to "it's the thought that counts."

There are some famed notables buried in Holt, too. Jazz cornetist Buddy Bolden (of the early 19th Century and Storyville times) is buried there. There is a large monument, by Holt's standards, that proudly stands in the cemetery, though the actually location of his grave is unknown (he died in 1907). Singer Jessie Hill is also buried there. He is famous for his R&B song “Ooh Pooh Pah Doo.”

Below I've included some links to blogs or articles on dear Holt. They feature photos of this amazing cemetery. The next time you visit New Orleans, make sure to stop by Holt for a visit and to pay your respects. And tell the residents that Minda sent you.

East Moline's Rose Lawn cemetery finally gets a savior

2009-01-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

For years, Rose Lawn Memorial Estate has been in poor shape. I visited the cemetery a few years back and was disgusted at the "care" it was under.

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a fan of lawn markers, and this cemetery is one of the reasons why. While wandering the grounds, I found many flat markers covered in mud or dried dirt. The grass hadn't been mowed in a while, and it just wasn't a pleasant place. I felt very bad for anyone visiting loved ones in the cemetery, let alone those buried there. It's been a sad place. At least loved one were still visiting and leaving mementos on the graves.

I didn't think much about the cemetery until 2007 when I started hearing about the troubles it was having. The owner was a schmuck (no surprise there), and a number of people were complaining about him to "8 On Your Side," which is a service of a local news station. When they receive complaints about a business, they act as consumer advocates and investigate, reporting what they learn and the outcome on their broadcasts.

The owner, Richard Cody, lived in Wisconsin but denied ownership of the property when asked about it. The truth is, he was selling pre-need items that people never received--totally $260,000. He also sold pre-need funeral contracts without a license. The grounds were still in terrible condition, and families even decided to get together to clean up the area and get rid of the overgrowth. The Illinois State Comptroller got involved. Cody avoided court appearances.

As it turns out, Cody, committed suicide in November 2008.

A week ago, on Jan. 6, Gregory Vogele announced that he will will be taking over poor Rose Lawn. This is exciting and wonderful news for anyone with a loved one buried in Rose Lawn. Greg is the superintendent of Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island and has been for 30 years. He is the third generation Vogele superintendent, as a matter of fact. He knows the importance of cemeteries, and I know he will do his best to care for Rose Lawn until a new owner is announced.

Thank you, Greg!

To read more about this, visit: http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=9627603

To read more about the past plight of Rose Lawn, visit:
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=8885644
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=8917456
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=8913475
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?s=8618021
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=9479545

2009-01-06T07:39:00.001-08:00

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.

***

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.

***

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

Bucket List Cemeteries

2008-11-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been thinking of my buckets lists. There are so many things I want to do before the bucket comes to kick me!

My cemetery bucket list is as follows (in no particular order):

1. Mount Auburn - Cambridge, Mass. - (www.mountauburn.org)

2. Bonaventure Cemetery - Savannah, Ga. - (www.bonaventurehistorical.org)

3. Lafayette Cemetery - New Orleans, La. - (http://goneworleans.about.com/od/cemeteries/a/Lafayette.htm)

4. Hollywood Forever - Los Angeles, Calif. - (www.hollywoodforever.com)

5. Cimetiere Pere-Lachaise - Paris, France - (http://www.pere-lachaise.com/)

6. Green-Wood Cemetery - Brooklyn, N.Y. - (www.green-wood.com)

7. Bohemian National Cemetery - Chicago, Ill. (www.bohemiannationalcemeterychicago.org)

8. Graceland Cemetery - Chicago, Ill. - (http://www.gracelandcemetery.org/)

9. Burial Hill - Plymouth, Mass.

10. Kensal Green Cemetery - London, England

There are, of course, many many more. This is just the beginning of the list! I'm currently distracted by the election and the upcoming announcement that Barack Obama will become our 44th president of the United States of America!

Tonight I am the proudest I've ever been to be an American.

-Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com

I'm a Rabbit!

2008-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

I knew hanging out in cemeteries would change me in some way, but I never thought it would turn me into a rabbit. A squirrel maybe, but not a rabbit. I want to send out special thanks to Diane R. for posting about The Graveyard Rabbits on my group list. This may just get me in the habit of blogging again!

You may recognize me from TheCemeteryClub.com or some of my books or classes. I'm Minda, and cemeteries are my passion. I live in the Quad Cities and will posting about cemeteries in the area--mainly, most likely, about Chippiannock in Rock Island, Ill., and Oakdale Memorial Gardens in Davenport, Iowa. I'm writing a book on Chippiannock and spend a lot of time at Oakdale. The office manager and I are planning a series of monthly speakers for OMG starting next year. It should be VERY cool.

That's all for now. I'll be posting more soon.

Minda @ TheCemeteryClub.com