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Get ready to dig into the fascinating world of alternate histories! On this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne welcome back Research Historian Lynette Webber to explore how cemeteries can inspire and provoke our understanding of time and mortality. Just like George Bailey's poignant "what ifs" in It's a Wonderful Life or Marty McFly's wild rides through the Back to the Future timeline, cemeteries hold the whispers of real life what ifs, where families have stood before graves and pondered the roads not taken. We'll explore the butterfly effect of human decision making, and dive into the fascinating story of a mysterious mausoleum in England rumored to hold a time machine. Join the conversation and uncover the secrets of the roads not taken!

Episode available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UE8wrPs7QMo

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It's time for a new addition of Death and Dying 101. Join Jennie and Dianne, along with regular contributor Ryan Seidemann, as they dig into the dirt on some heavy hitters: the environmental impact of cremation vs. full body burial, the tricky business of handling cemeteries discovered during construction projects, Civil War burials, and the fascinating world of bone identification. Grab your shovels and join their grave talk!

Episode available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZrpRVTL2Pl4?si=jSZnadm5eUpop8EU

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Jennie and Dianne are thrilled to welcome Diana Kresnye, a passionate tour guide and historical interpreter at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio to the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. Lake View Cemetery is a treasure trove of history, art, and nature, featuring a Level 2 Arboretum with thousands of trees, the final resting place of James A. Garfield (the 20th president of the United States), and the Wade Memorial Chapel, one of the few remaining interiors totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios. 

This episode is perfectly timed to coincide with the November 6 release of the Netflix miniseries "Death by Lightning," which dramatizes the life of President James A. Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau.

Diana believes that "cemeteries are among the best storytellers we have in our communities. They hold memory, mystery, and meaning—and invite us to listen." 

To learn more about Lake View Cemetery or to take a tour, visit their website: https://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/

You can also follow them on social media:      https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGwscJxTa/

https://www.instagram.com/lakeviewcemetery?igsh=cHpnanJxZmRtajA2

*All images of Lake View Cemetery provided by Diana Kresney and shared with permission.

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

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Join Jennie and Dianne for the 2025 "Beyond the Grave" episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, just in time to put you in a spooky mood for Halloween! Dim the lights, get cozy, and immerse yourself in Gaston Leroux's timeless masterpiece. With a special introduction by legendary silent film actor Lon Chaney, you'll be transported to 1880s Paris and the majestic Palais Garnier. Settle in and let the Ordinary Extraordinary tale of the Phantom of the Opera bewitch you. As Christine Daaé's voice rises to stardom, she must make an impossible choice: surrender to the Phantom's dark obsession or risk everything for a chance at true love with Raoul.

Gaston Leroux's classic novel was adapted and performed by phenomenally talented actors live at Evergreen Cemetery on October 3rd & 4th, 2025 in order to help raise funds for the preservation of  Colorado Springs' historic cemeteries, and now we bring it to you for your listening pleasure.

Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/26o4BIJq5Ws

Script adaptation written by
Jennie Johnson

Thank you so much to all the actors who lent their time and talent to bring this classic tale to life. The actors are, in order of appearance:

🎶Opera Singer (at event)... Quinn Malmstrom                                                               
 🎶Opera Singer (at event)... Kass Allen                                                                    
🎶 Lon Chaney (audio version)... Charles Johnson                                                           
🎶 Lon Chaney (silent film at event)... Jeremy Moskowitz                                            
🎶Carlotta... Ashley Arroyo
🎶Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny...Asha Hart
🎶Christine Daaé... Casper Johnson
🎶The Phantom... Solomon Abell

💀Beyond the Grave Spirits💀
💀Jair Garcia De la Cruz
💀Naomi Compo
💀Raine Mason
💀Zoe Guinto
💀Lark Tipton    

Music: "Death and the Maiden" by Franz Schubert 🎶 Recorded, produced and published by: Gregor Quendel 🎶 The Arrangement is based on the notes by: H. Fesefeldt 🎶 Courtesy of CLASSICALS.DE EXCLUSIVE RECORDINGS https://www.classicals.de/schubert-d810

Sound effects provided by www.pixabay.com

Photography by: Jeffery Heizer

Produced by Evergreen Heritage & The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast

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Get ready for a ghostly good time on this week's Ordinary Extraordinary podcast! Jennie and Dianne are joined by Nicole Beauchamp, author and paranormal researcher, to discuss the power of remembrance and the importance of preserving the Ordinary Extraordinary stories of the past. From the 'Veiled Woman' of Elmwood Cemetery to the value of visiting historic sites, Nicole shares her expertise on how the past can shape our understanding of the world.

Connect with Nicole on Facebook and Instagram @Authornicolebeauchamp.

You can purchase Nicole's Books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nicole-Beauchamp/author/B08BV1QDND?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=e0c238e8-536e-49bc-9fda-8be9c15a5060

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

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On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Miles McCallum and Nick Brown, researchers and enthusiasts passionate about uncovering the stories behind Vermont's historic cast-iron grave markers.

Miles, an M.A. in history student at the University of Vermont, and his colleague Nick, share their fascinating findings on two models of cast-iron grave markers that swept through Vermont (and beyond) in the 1840s and 1850s. From the manufacturers to the symbolism, they'll dive into the history and significance of these Ordinary Extraordinary markers. Tune in to hear about their discoveries, the stories behind these iron sentinels, and what they reveal about Vermont's burial practices and cultural heritage. 

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Get ready for a haunting tale of love, obsession, and music that echoes beyond the grave! Join Jennie and Dianne on this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they dive into the world of Gaston LeRoux's classic novel, The Phantom of the Opera, with special guest Professor Jerrold E. Hogle. This week’s episode is particularly special as it coincides with the sold-out fundraiser, Beyond the Grave: The Phantom of the Opera, happening at historic Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. The event will bring the cemetery to life with a dramatic retelling of the Phantom's timeless tale, set against the haunting backdrop of the cemetery's hallowed grounds.

Professor Hogle, a renowned expert on the novel, shares his insights on the story's enduring appeal and its connections to the city of Paris, where LeRoux drew inspiration. With his extensive background in studying the novel, Hogle takes listeners on an Ordinary Extraordinary journey into the world of  Le Fantôme de l'Opéra!

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Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about death and dying in America, and discover how we can work towards a more equitable system for all. This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne are joined by Staci Savattaro and Jennifer Wright-Berryman, co-authors of the upcoming book "Equity at the End: The New American Way of Death". From eco-friendly burials to affordable body disposition, they discuss the disparities in access to resources and the biases that shape the system. Whether you're interested in public policy, social work, or simply navigating the often-confusing world of deathcare, this Ordinary Extraordinary conversation is sure to be enlightening. 

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What happens when human remains are discovered in public spaces? Can pets be buried alongside their owners? And what's the protocol for handling human remains from space? Jennie and Dianne, along with Ryan Seidemann, tackle these tough questions and more on this week's Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, part two of Death and Dying 101.

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What happens when science and culture collide? Jennie and Dianne dive into the world of human remains with Ryan Seidemann in Part 1 of a new Death and Dying 101 feature. They discuss the challenges of creating inclusive public memory, the ethics of displaying mummified bodies, and the current state of body donation to science. From consent to cultural sensitivity, Ryan shares his expertise on how to approach these topics with respect and understanding. 

Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com