So what's next?

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

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 ...

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

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

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

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

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