It’s probably because of the season, but there is an awful lot of cemetery news coming out of the New England area these days…
As I said, “Tis the season”…for ghost hunting!
Connecticut Ghost Seekers Investigate Local Hauntings
East Hampton-Portland Patch
Oct. 26, 2011
Exploring The Paranormal In New London And Beyond
New London Patch
Oct. 31, 2011
A missing tombstone mystery in Madison
The Case Of The Missing Tombstone Pt. 1
The Case Of The Missing Tombstone Pt. 2
The Madison Patch
Oct. 26 & 27, 2011
Can’t kill ‘Day of the Dead’ no matter what they think
Day of the Dead dies as cemetery cuts arts
Jamaica Plain Gazette
Nov. 4, 2011
He takes his work very seriously…
For Medway man, caring for old gravestones is a grave responsibility
Milford Daily News
Nov. 6, 2011
Because unfortunately, there’s more vandalism.
Vandals knock over dozens of gravestones in Jewish cemetery in East Haven
The Shoreline Times
Oct. 28, 2011
But here’s some good news to a similar story…
Damaged Yantic Cemetery statue collected for restoration
Norwich Bulletin
Nov. 2, 2011
More news from Norwich…finding a lost abolitionist
Experts try to solve mystery of where Norwich abolitionist was buried
New London Day
Nov. 10, 2011
Burial plot scanned for remains of Norwich abolitionist
Norwich Bulletin
Nov. 10, 2011
Not New England news, but something that affects us all…
It’s really disgraceful, and reminds me of the Arlington Cemetery incident last year.
Air Force Mortuary Dumped Remains Of War Dead In Landfill
NPR.org
Nov. 9, 2011
Air Force chief takes responsibility for errors
Associated Press/Yahoo. com
Nov. 10, 2011
And another issue that’s not NE, but still important…cemetery theft!
This piece of news was posted on the Museum-L Listserv, Nov. 9, 2011
I post this here because stolen items can be moved quickly across state lines and travel quite a ways.
Pottery Grave Marker Theft Alert
The following notice was sent by Mary Farrell, who owns Westmoore Pottery in Seagrove, NC.
“We are sad to report the theft of the Israel Woody, 1834 SGSW handmade
pottery gravemarker made by Solomon Loy in 1834, from the Cane Creek
Friends Burial Ground of Alamance County, NC, after nearly 180 years in
place. If you have any news of it or hear of anyone who’s seen it please
pass the word to the Cane Creek Friends Meeting in Snow Camp, NC or to the
Alamance County, NC Sheriff’s Department. Theft is a real problem with the
pottery grave markers.”
Cemetery theft is a real problem everywhere. Tombstones, grave markers, plaques, gates, etc. have all been the target of cemetery thieves. Anyone out there who sees cemetery items for sale in antiques stores, auction houses, and other places are encouraged to report it. Not only is it disrespectful, it is usually illegal (depending on state law).
Enough news for now
See you on this side of the grass!
Cranky