The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

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Gravestones are more than just stones... They hold the stories of our past and are considered sacred objects by many including this week's guest, Rachel Meyer from Epoch Preservation. Join Jennie and Dianne as they learn of Rachel's mission to outlaw the selling of gravestones in Massachusetts that have been removed from cemeteries. She shares Ordinary Extraordinary stories of gravestones that have been recovered and returned over the years and how her bill aims to protect these precious monuments. 

Read Bill SD.2426 (An Act Relative to the Theft of Graves) in full here: 

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/SD2426?fbclid=IwY2xjawIRR65leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRyKlANg3F-Ytusr7k-aM9KHAMRvmXqajTbgKvQznE86jsC7ykDXMixUdw_aem_iFMI8E3fRyRGE0lLRXxmcg

If you want to help pass this bill, begin here: https://malegislature.gov/StateHouse/Contact

If you would like to contact Rachel regarding cemetery preservation/ conservation, you can reach her through Epoch Preservation's website: 

https://epochpreservation.com/contact/

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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This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, Dianne and Jennie welcome Kurt Jordan, a.k.a KC Cemetery Man, a champion of cemetery preservation. Kurt's chance discovery of his 2X Great Grandfather's marker sparked a passion for cemetery preservation. From surprising discoveries to heartwarming encounters, Kurt's Ordinary Extraordinary stories have helped to spark preservation fever across his home state of Missouri and beyond.
 
View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/r393wR09vEQ?si=hnu6KN6doKgT9hj_

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

To contact Kurt, you can reach him through the email link on his website:
https://kccemeteryman.com/

You can also follow Kurt and his adventures on social media:
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Nqg9NKGAv/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kccemeteryman?igsh=MTF2ZXA5bWZ4Nndoaw==

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Don't miss the latest episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast, where Jennie and Dianne are joined by special guest Charles Johnson to chat about fictional cemeteries and ghost towns in the virtual world of video games and the real-life counterparts that inspired the game creators. Sometimes Ordinary Extraordinary history can be found in the most surprising places!

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/XS9KnxrIBGQ?si=QKI2CG_Mc0g_ttOE

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

Resources used to research this episode include:

Staff Reporters. "Crumptonia’s Long History ." https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/. 13 Aug. 2007. www.selmatimesjournal.com/2007/08/13/crumptonias-long-history/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Fielding Vaughan Family Cemetery ." https://www.findagrave.com/. 28 Mar. 2018. www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2662791/fielding-vaughan-family-cemetery. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Crocheron Columns at Old Cahawba ." https://www.ruralswalabama.org/. www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/crocheron-columns-at-old-cahawba/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Cochran House at Crumptonia near Orrville, AL (built c. 1855) ." https://www.ruralswalabama.org/. www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/cochran-house-crumptonia/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"The grave of John A. Bell in the “New” Cemetery at Old Cahawba ." https://www.ruralswalabama.org/. www.ruralswalabama.org/attraction/john-bell-grave-old-cahawba-park/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"St. Roch Cemetery #2 ." https://nolacatholiccemeteries.org/. nolacatholiccemeteries.org/st-roch-cemetery-2. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

, Mordy. "Helltown, Ohio ." https://www.atlasobscura.com/. 5 Oct. 2016. www.atlasobscura.com/places/helltown-ohio. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Boston Mills - Hell Town ." https://www.ghostsofohio.org/. www.ghostsofohio.org/lore/ohio_lore_36.html. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Dimuro, Gina. "Why Helltown, Ohio Actually Lives Up To Its Name." https://allthatsinteresting.com/. edited by Austin Harvey , 2 Oct. 2021. allthatsinteresting.com/helltown-ohio. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Pleasance." https://reddead.fandom.com/. reddead.fandom.com/wiki/Pleasance. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Shady Belle." https://reddead.fandom.com/. reddead.fandom.com/wiki/Shady_Belle. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Shady Belle Graveyard ." https://reddead.fandom.com/. reddead.fandom.com/wiki/Shady_Belle_Graveyard. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

"Saint Denis Cemetery ." https://reddead.fandom.com/. reddead.fandom.com/wiki/Saint_Denis_Cemetery.

"Saint Roches Cemetery ." https://left4dead.fandom.com/. left4dead.fandom.com/wiki/Saint_Roches_Cemetery. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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Join Dianne and Jennie for a trip down memory lane! This week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast is a Colorado-themed throwback, featuring snippets from their favorite homestate episodes, PLUS, an exciting announcement! You'll have to listen (or watch) to find out what's in store!

View this episode on YouTube!

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

Colorado Cemeteries: Full Episodes include: 
Episode 2 - The champions and Central City, Colorado 

Episode 3: Bald Mountain Cemetery and the Poet P.E. Redmond 

Episode 23: Riverside Cemetery in Denver, Colorado 

Episode 25: The Mysterious Grave of Miss Princess Nucassee Malloniii Johan  Sun Bow Wooton

Episode 31: Last Great Mining Boom Cripple Creek, Colorado and Mount Pisgah Cemetery

Episode 44: A Gold Mine, a Pocket Watch and a Heart of Gold

Episode 45: The Irish Miners of Leadville, Colorado and Their Forgotten Graves

Episode 68: In Remembrance of Joe Arridt at Greenwood Cemetery in Cañon City, Colorado

Episode 101: "Operation Sacred Rescue" the Rebarial of the Sisters of Loretto near Denver, Colorado 

Episode 127: A Tale of Two Women: Molly Brown and Louise Sneed Hill

Episode 131: Under the Stone: Early Women Doctors in Evergreen Cemetery: A Discussion with Doris McCraw

Episode 138: Beneath the Rockies part 1: Visiting Colorado's Historic Cemeteries

Episode 139: Beneath the Rockies part 2: Visiting Colorado's Historic Cemeteries

Episode 142: From Quaker Values to Railroad Empires: The Life and Legacy of William Jackson Palmer 

Episode 143: Kindness in the Wild West: The Inspirational Life of Mary "Queen" Mellen Palmer

Episode 171: Madam with a Heart: Durango, Colorado's Bessie Rivers 

Episode 177: Unveiling the True Legacy of Louise Sneed Hill 

Episodes with some Colorado Cemeteries or Graves Include:
Episode 4: Coast to Coast Haunted Cemeteries

Episode 35: War stories, Buffalo soldiers and More

Episode 70: Till Death Do Us Part- True Love all the Way to the Grave

Episode 77: Three women of the Wild West

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On this episode ofThe Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne attempt to piece together the life story of Dr. Marianna Smalley, a pioneering woman of her era. Celebrated for her research in tuberculosis treatment, Dr. Smalley was once a prominent figure at the University of Michigan and in the city of Ann Arbor, but her life and contributions have largely been forgotten. As they shine a light on her remarkable achievements, they also investigate the mysterious final years leading up to her untimely death
Why has Dr. Smalley's Ordinary Extraordinary story remained obscured for so long?

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/-0z9VcjjKaw?si=aBDm4TdSB1GrwP8D

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

Resources used to research this episode include various documents, records, and newspaper articles found at www.ancestry.com and www.newspapers.com in addition to the following:

Edwards, Leslie S. "‘No respecter of persons’: Michigan’s fight against tuberculosis ." https://www.pioneertribune.com/. 6 Jan. 2021. www.pioneertribune.com/articles/no-respecter-of-persons-michigans-fight-against-tuberculosis/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

"Two Sentenced to Prison Terms." The Ypsilanti Daily Press [Ypsilanti ], 21 Jan. 1941, p. 8.

, AP. "'M' Instructor Called Suicide ." Detroit Free Press [Detroit ], 23 June 1948, p. 15.

"Police Capture Three Burglars." The Ypsilanti Daily Press [Ypsilanti ], 13 Jan. 1941, p. 8.

"Early X-Ray Is a Big Factor In Saving Life and Expenses in State War on Tuberculosis." The Grand Rapids Press [Grand Rapids ], 15 Dec. 1937, p. 10.

"Death Ends Career of Dr. Smalley." Ann Arbor News, 22 June 1948.

"About ." https://mortarboard.org/. mortarboard.org/about/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Schroll-Bakes, Katharina. "Lung Screening Then and Now." https://www.medmuseum.siemens-healthineers.com/. 14 Aug. 2023. www.medmuseum.siemens-healthineers.com/en/stories-from-the-museum/lung-screening#:~:text=Once%20X%2Dray%20technology%20developed,diagnosis%20of%20this%20pernicious%20disease. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

"Michigan’s Medical History ." https://chm.med.umich.edu/. chm.med.umich.edu/michigans-medical-history/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Tobin, James. "The First Women." https://heritage.umich.edu/. heritage.umich.edu/stories/the-first-women/. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

https://bentley.umich.edu/. bentley.umich.edu/legacy-support/um/voices/advanced_search.php. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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We begin 2025 with the Ordinary Extraordinary, but nearly unknown story of Ellen Robena Field, a talented writer and educator whose contributions to children's literature have mostly been overlooked. Born in 1869 in Bangor, Maine, Ellen's writing talent emerged during her own school years. In 1894, she founded 'The West Side Kindergarten' and published her beloved book, 'Buttercup Gold and Other Stories'. Her gentle moral tales resonated with children and parents alike. Despite her literary gifts, Ellen's passing in 1957 made no mention of them or the impact they had on so many children. Jennie and Dianne end the episode with the reading of her story, ‘The Little New Year’, reminding us all that the best way to begin and continue the year is with love and kindness.

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/dfz5HXqbbNw?si=KNUG5-ZaSsgJd7zH

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

You can read 'Buttercup Gold and Other Stories' through this link on Project Guttenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1978/1978-h/1978-h.htm

Resources used to research this episode include various documents, records, and newspaper articles found at www.ancestry.com and www.newspapers.com. 

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This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Jennie and Dianne continue their fascinating discussion with author Pamela McColl about Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer, the resilient wife of General George Armstrong Custer. In part one, they explored her pioneering experiences living with Custer in the West.  Now, they're diving deeper into the incredible changes she witnessed during her lifetime - from the Civil War to the dawn of the 20th century, through World War I, and into the Great Depression. They examine how Libbie's own experiences as a widow fueled her mission to support others navigating life after the death of a beloved husband.  They also discuss how Christmas evolved into a cherished tradition after the Civil War, bringing people together during an Ordinary Extraordinary time of great change not only for America, but much of the world navigating new found identities.

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/663DRer_nFk?si=V6gbPOpNJ5GVBobz

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

Links to Libbie Custer's books:
"Boots and Saddles"; Or, Life in Dakota with General Custer
And
"Tenting on the Plains"; or, General Custer in Kansas and Texas
Can both be ready for free on Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/40799

Physical Copies can be purchased here:
https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/author/custer-elizabeth-bacon/

Resources used to research this episode include:
Monnett, John H. "Christmas With the Custers: In Bitter Cold and Battles, Libbie Custer Fought for Holiday Cheer ." https://www.historynet.com/. 24 Dec. 2016. www.historynet.com/frontier-christmas-custers/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Enright, Gary. "The Life of Libby Custer ." https://www.sdpb.org/. 3 Oct. 2017. www.sdpb.org/images-of-the-past/2017-10-03/the-life-of-libby-custer. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

, Mandan Historical Society . "Elizabeth Clift [Bacon] Custer (1842-1933)." http://www.mandanhistory.org/. www.mandanhistory.org/biographiesac/elizabethcuster.html. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Hufford, Deborah . "Elizabeth Custer—The Great Woman Behind the Man ." https://www.notesfromthefrontier.com/. 18 Aug. 2020. www.notesfromthefrontier.com/post/elizabeth-custer-the-great-woman-behind-the-man.

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Get ready for Part One of a holiday treat! Join Jennie and Dianne on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they welcome Christmas aficionado and author Pamela McColl back to experience the "spirit of Christmas" through the memories of Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon Custer, wife of the legendary (and controversial) George Armstrong Custer. As Libbie so eloquently put it, "Sometimes I think our Christmas on the frontier was a greater event to us than to anyone in the States. We all had to do so much to make it a success."

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/L0a1pXcIQP0?si=1mz_XomKEtHDZ-W4

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

Links to Libbie Custer's books:
"Boots and Saddles"; Or, Life in Dakota with General Custer
And
"Tenting on the Plains"; or, General Custer in Kansas and Texas
Can both be ready for free on Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/40799

Physical Copies can be purchased here:
https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/author/custer-elizabeth-bacon/

Resources used to research this episode include:
Monnett, John H. "Christmas With the Custers: In Bitter Cold and Battles, Libbie Custer Fought for Holiday Cheer ." https://www.historynet.com/. 24 Dec. 2016. www.historynet.com/frontier-christmas-custers/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Enright, Gary. "The Life of Libby Custer ." https://www.sdpb.org/. 3 Oct. 2017. www.sdpb.org/images-of-the-past/2017-10-03/the-life-of-libby-custer. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

, Mandan Historical Society . "Elizabeth Clift [Bacon] Custer (1842-1933)." http://www.mandanhistory.org/. www.mandanhistory.org/biographiesac/elizabethcuster.html. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Hufford, Deborah . "Elizabeth Custer—The Great Woman Behind the Man ." https://www.notesfromthefrontier.com/. 18 Aug. 2020. www.notesfromthefrontier.com/post/elizabeth-custer-the-great-woman-behind-the-man.

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Resting peacefully in graves across the United Kingdom are some of the 20th century's best mystery writers who set the standard for the detective stories we know and love today. Get ready for a whodunit of an episode! We're "investigating" the fascinating story of the 94 year old "Detection Club", formed by a group of renowned detective fiction authors including Agatha Christie, Anthony Berkeley Cox, Dorothy Sayers, and others who came together to socialize and elevate the genre. In recent years, these stories along with new works, have become especially popular during the holidays with many of them taking place during Christmas or other winter holidays. Grab your magnifying glass and Fedora as we "inspect" the Ordinary Extraordinary world of the founding members of the Detection Club, with a dash of holiday cheer!

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Sj5W8kn3CJA?si=kCCo2pi8NtFN5pBQ

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

Images: *Photos of Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers and The Detection Club - Public Domain
*Agatha Christie's grave: UFT, 10/30/2019 posted to www.findagrave.com
*G.K. Chersterton's grave: Iain McFarlaine, 11/01/2004 posted to www.findagrave.com
*Dorothy Sayers grave: David Conway, 07/24/2001 posted to www.findagrave.com

Resources used to research this episode include:
Westron, Carol. "Anthony Berkeley Cox (1893-1971) ." https://promotingcrime.blogspot.com/. 3 Feb. 2017. promotingcrime.blogspot.com/2017/02/anthony-berkeley-cox-1893-1971.html?m=1. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Garcia - Bosque, Jose Ignacio Escribano . " Berkeley, Anthony (1893 – 1971) ." https://jiescribano.wordpress.com/. 26 Feb. 2022. jiescribano.wordpress.com/2022/02/26/berkeley-anthony-1893-1971-updated-26-02-2022/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

, agathachristie.com. "Detection Club." https://www.agathachristie.com/. www.agathachristie.com/stories/detection-club. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Edwards, Martin. "The Detection Club." https://martinedwardsbooks.com/. martinedwardsbooks.com/home/about-martin/martins-writing/the-detection-club/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

, mydearhastings.com. "The Detection Club — A Dream Team of Mystery Writers ." https://www.mydearhastings.com/. www.mydearhastings.com/home/agatha-christie-amp-the-detection-club. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

, Gladstone Library . "The Records of the Detection Club ." https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/. www.gladstoneslibrary.org/reading-rooms/the-collections/archives/the-records-of-the-detection-club. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Wade, Francesca . "No Divine Revelation, Feminine Intuition or Mumbo Jumbo’: Dorothy L Sayers and the Detection Club ." https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/. 4 Feb. 2020. www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/04/dorothy-l-sayers-and-the-detection-club. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Members_of_the_Detection_Club.

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What if you knew the exact date of your own death? For Samuel P. Golden, a series of prophetic dreams foretold his passing...or so he believed! Join Jennie and Dianne as they uncover the Ordinary Extraordinary life and death of Samuel P. Golden, a charismatic man whose obituary described him as one who "dressed nicely and was a fine specimen of physical manhood." His short life on earth was anything but boring!

View this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/RqS47Y-N_LQ?si=xz-cqz4n6eXC0hFR

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

Resources used to research this episode include:

Various documents available through www.ancestry.com

"Believes in a Dream." Western Newspaper Union [Wichita ], 3 Nov. 1900, p. 3.

"Verdict for a Carpenter ." The Freehold Transcript [Freehold], p. 1 13 Jan. 1899.

 "Given Hope by Health." The Freehold Transcript , 31 May 1901, p. 1.

 "Chronic Bright's Disease ." The Brooklyn Daily Eagle [Brooklyn ], 18 June 1901, p. 4.

"Trouble of the Golden Family ." The Daily Standard [Red Bank], 6 Dec. 1902, p. 2.

 "Golden Family Troubles ." The Daily Register [Red Bank], 18 Feb. 1903, p. 1.

 "Samuel P Golden Dies on Saturday ." The Daily Standard [Red Bank], 11 Apr. 1903, p. 1.

 "Samuel P Golden Burned Out and the Building Destroyed ." The Daily Register [Red Bank], p. 1 20 Aug 1890.

 "Monmouth Courts." Monmouth Democrat [Freehold ], p. 3 19 Jun 1879.

 "Golden Farm Sold." Long Branch Record [Long Branch], 25 Jan. 1905, p. 10.

"A Big Profit Being Made in the Peter S Golden Place." The Daily Register , 16 Mar. 1904, p. 1.

, Department Of Public Information . "Middletown’s Fairview Cemetery is featured in video series Latest installment features historic resting place  ." https://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/. 9 Oct. 2009. www.co.monmouth.nj.us/PressDetail.aspx?ID=413. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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