10/20/2019

Weekly Update 10/20/2019

This began as a slow week, but ended up being very busy.

Starting on Wednesday, I attended a 3-day conference that was held in Savannah by the Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association. What fun! I thought I knew where the Holiday Inn historic district was located, but not so – there are TWO, and I assumed the wrong one. Luckily, I mapped it and was able to get there just on time. Every talk was interesting: Luciana, the archivist (also my friend) spoke on the history of Savannah cemeteries. I knew a lot of that info, but it’s always interesting. A preservation person who highlighted a project at Laurel Grove North, where he had restored a mausoleum with the guidance of the city of Savannah. There was a lawyer who gave us  information on the very limited law regarding cemeteries. Also, an enthusiastic advocate for identifying and saving small private cemeteries. That was followed by an archaeological group with new equipment for finding unmarked burials. And finally, a New Orleans preservationist with interesting stories of things that have been done to preserve and protect old plots and crypts there. And lunch was wonderful: lasagna, mushroom chicken and tiramisu for dessert.

Thursday, I was late for the conference because I kept driving around looking for a free place to park close to the hotel; I had no luck and ended up at the visitor center. So I was a few minutes late. I have forgotten what it’s like to have to get up, get showered and dressed, and be some place every morning – like I used to do every single day when I worked. I’m retired now, and this is a struggle that I’m not anxious to re-visit. Talks, again, were really interesting, and included: Oakland “comfort station ", the Good Cemeterian, Secretary off the Interior standard's, fund raising, and BHS history. Then, everyone boarded trolleys to go to BC and take a tour. The tours were a little unusual – most people did not really want to know the history of the cemetery, or the stories of the people buried there. They wanted to walk around and enjoy the beauty and compare what we have with what they are faced with at their own cemeteries. I’ve been working on a slide show that will be presented at the BHS annual dinner next month, and since this was a lovely, sunny day, I was able to get the photos that I needed to fill in some blank spots in the presentation.  I hope I've got the ones I need.  

I stopped at the Goodyear place on the way back home because my tire pressure alert light was on. I was third in line, and the technician said so many people needed to have the pressure adjusted because it was so cold the night before. Well, fine, but the light was still glowing the following morning, so I had to go back again. It was another attendant who helped me this time and he must have got it right because the light was off before I was even out of the parking lot. The older I get, the less patience I have with incompetence. The Post Office is way up there on my list, but it seems no one feels the need to do the job well any more, and I’m terrifically frustrated by that.

Friday, for one last time, I was up to early to get to the conference. Today was all at Laurel Grove Cemetery, so I didn't have to look for downtown parking near the Holiday Inn. Sam, the City of Savannah's cemetery preservation expert (he’s not really a friend, but I do know him) started with a walking tour of the North part cemetery, highlighting some of the projects he's worked on and what was done and why.  Kathryn, who’s the leader of the project that BHS is undertaking to identify and prioritize monuments and plots at BC that need some care, joined me for the demonstrations of 3 markers - one needed to be realigned as one side was sinking, one needed the headstone reattached to the base, and one was an upright slab that had broken into 3 pieces when it fell. Sam and colleagues did the work while explaining the procedures. Fascinating!  There was a low country boil picnic at the cemetery.  Followed by a quick tour of Laurel Grove South. And now this conference is history.

Sam showing off some of his excellent work to the GMCA group

re-attaching a tombstone to the base

I went home, but didn't have a lot of time before going back out to meet Connie at Service Brewery. We had a couple of beers, and there was a bluegrass band playing. Just what I love - no food, beer and a banjo. But I lived through it, and it was really nice just to be with Connie.

bluegrass music at Service Brewery

We left just before 8, and I thought I might just be able to make it to Fort Pulaski for the special performance on death at the Fort. I made it. I actually had reservations for the Saturday evening performance, but that was canceled as bad weather was forecast for all along the coast for Saturday and into the evening. I was happy to be able to get there on Friday. It was really, really dark there, and the electric lanterns they gave us didn't help much. I really liked it though - being in the Fort when it was so totally dark, listening to stories. They weren't really "ghost " stories, but true stories about things that happened at the Fort: a drowning in the moat, disease when it was a prison, a duel, and the war (while only 1 person was killed in action, 5 died when cleaning up live shells after the battle).

a poor photo,but it really was DARK on this tour

Saturday, everything shut down and many events were canceled because of Tropical Storm Nestor. It rained all day, but we never got the high winds that were expected. I was scheduled to be at BC in the afternoon, but because no tourists were coming out to wander among the dripping Spanish moss and through all the puddles, the morning group closed up early, and I didn’t have to go. I never even stuck my nose outside, not even to go get the mail.

Sunday, things did not go as I’d planned. I was NOT scheduled at BC, but I had to go out on an errand early and as I drove past the cemetery on my way home, I noticed the door was locked and everything was closed up. That was strange. I asked, and was told that the electricity had been off, and the volunteers left. I felt bad because Sunday was a much nicer day, and many visitors who may have wanted to come out on Saturday, might show up Sunday instead. So, I opened up and stayed there until it was time for the 1 pm kick off. At least I handed out a few maps to people who wanted them. I met Connie at Coach’s to watch the game with her. The outcome was good, but I’d expected a total rout, and Miami even had a lead for a few minutes. I think the Bills should be very proud of the record they have so far this season.