Tag: Cemetery Blog

A Collection of Ceramic Portraits

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One of my favourite things about photographing cemeteries is all the little details that can easily be missed, like ceramic portraits.

These small photographs give us a glimpse of the people whose names are carved into the stone. Some are still in pretty good shape, while others have faded, cracked, or weathered over the years. A few have deteriorated so much that it’s almost impossible to make out a face.

Today, I’m sharing a few ceramic portraits I’ve come across during my cemetery travels.

Ceramic Portraits

Ceramic portraits, sometimes called porcelain portraits or photo ceramics, are photographs that have been permanently transferred onto materials such as porcelain, glass, enamel, or metal.¹

The technique dates back to the 1850s.¹ French photographer Lafon de Camarsac began experimenting with the process in the early 1850s.¹ By 1855, he was producing photographic images on enamel and porcelain.²

Photo ceramics became popular during the second half of the 19th century.¹ Photographic images were transferred onto all sorts of things, from jewellery and decorative objects to plates and other household items.¹

The technique also found its way into cemeteries.

By the late 19th century, ceramic portraits were being used on gravestones in Europe.³ They gave families a way to preserve the likeness of their loved ones alongside their names and dates.³

  • Whitefish Catholic Cemetery, Whitefish ON ©2021
  • Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2020
  • Field Public Cemetery, Field ON ©2021
  • St. Rose de Lima Parish Cemetery, River Valley ON ©2023

Some of the portraits are still quite recognizable, even though the ceramic itself has weathered over time.

Others have faded considerably. Time and exposure to the elements can take their toll, leaving behind only a faint image.

And sometimes, there isn’t much left to see at all.

Sometimes I come across portraits that are so damaged that it’s difficult to make out the person’s face. Even so, I think they’re worth photographing. The damage is part of their story too.

  • Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2011
  • Old Greenwood Cemetery, Sault Ste Marie ON ©2019

A Different Kind of Portrait

It’s rare here in Northern Ontario, but sometimes I come across a photo of someone who looks like they’re sleeping, or possibly deceased.

Post-mortem photography became common after the introduction of the daguerreotype in 1839.⁴ It continued to be practiced into the early 20th century.⁴ Children were often the subjects because they might never have had a photograph taken while they were alive.⁴

I’ll save the deeper history of post-mortem photography for another post, because there is a lot more to explore there.

  • Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2022

What I find most fascinating about these little portraits is how much they can add to a gravestone.

The name and dates tell us when someone lived. The photograph gives us a glimpse of what they looked like. Even when the image has almost completely faded, you can still see the effort that was made to preserve that person’s likeness.

After more than a century outdoors, some of these portraits may be barely recognizable, but they’re still there.

And that’s what makes them worth stopping for.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Stone Stories: The King of Castle Village

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Have you ever heard of Castle Village and the Enchanted Kingdom?

I hadn’t, until I spotted it while on a cemetery road trip a couple of years ago. As we drove along, a storybook castle suddenly appeared on the side of the road. It looked abandoned, and for a moment I wondered if I was seeing things.

What was a castle doing in the middle of rural Ontario? More importantly, why had it been left behind?

I made a note to research it later, and when I planned a recent day trip back to the area, I knew I had to make a couple of extra stops to finally check it out.

The castle was only part of the story. Behind it was the remarkable life of the man who built an entire fantasy world for families to enjoy, and whose final resting place is only a short drive away.

This is the story of Paul Des Roches and the dream he built.

  • Ceramic portrait of Paul Des Roches and his wife Julienne
    Ceramic portrait of Paul Des Roches and his wife Julienne. Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lafontaine ON ©2026

Paul Vincent Des Roches was born on July 3, 1936, and was a talented woodworker, craftsman, and businessman who spent much of his life creating things with his hands.

In 1972, Paul built a castle near Midland, Ontario, with the goal of creating a unique place to sell his handmade crafts and woodworking.¹

Paul created items like birdhouses, candlesticks, and other wooden crafts, and his business became so successful that he was selling his creations almost as quickly as he could make them.1

His gift shop eventually grew to offer nearly 10,000 items, including souvenir spoons and other collectibles.1

What began as a small gift shop quickly became something much bigger. Paul continued expanding the property, eventually working with his daughter to transform the original seven-acre site into a 45-acre attraction filled with museum-like displays, and fantasy-themed areas for visitors to explore.1

Castle Village And Enchanted Kingdom Park

Castle Village and Enchanted Kingdom was unlike anything else in the area. The castle featured towers, a water-spewing dragon, and a moat guarded by creatures from the underworld.1

Inside the castle, visitors could explore a showroom that originally displayed early Canadian and American furniture before becoming the Museum of Medieval Arms, Armour and Heraldry.1 The museum featured medieval weapons, life-sized suits of armour, and displays about heraldry, the study of coats of arms and their symbols.1

In 1982, Paul added Dracula’s Dungeons, a horror-themed museum hidden beneath the castle.1 Visitors entered by descending a spiral staircase covered in cobwebs before discovering prison cells featuring famous horror characters.1

As the attraction continued to grow, Paul and his daughter created the Enchanted Kingdom Park, a fantasy-themed area built around an educational nature trail.1

Visitors could explore fairy tale cottages inspired by familiar stories, like Snow White’s wishing well, and Hansel and Gretel’s candy house.1 The park also featured Merlin the Magician’s Tower, a grist mill, a giant fountain, and an 80-foot suspension bridge crossing a pond.1

Over the years, Castle Village became a popular tourist attraction, welcoming thousands of visitors and operating as a bilingual destination.1 In 2005, the property received the Provincial Tourism Award from RDEE, a francophone economic development organization.1

In 2008, Paul’s family decided it was time to pursue other interests and placed the property up for sale.1 By then, Paul was 74 years old and dealing with health issues.1

The property remained on the market for several years before being purchased in 2016 by businessman Deo Moreno, who introduced new attractions such as escape rooms, role-playing games, themed weddings, archery, and human foosball.1

After closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Castle Village never reopened. It is now listed as permanently closed.1

When I visited, it felt like stepping into a forgotten storybook. Nature has slowly begun reclaiming parts of the property, but many of the buildings and structures still remain. It was easy to imagine families walking across the bridges, exploring the fantasy cottages, and discovering something new around every corner.

Even in its current state, Castle Village still reflects Paul’s creativity and determination.

Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023
Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023
Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023
Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023
Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023

Castle Village and the Enchanted Kingdom. Midland ON ©2026

Inside Castle Village

While I was researching Castle Village, I came across the work of photographer Mike Lalonde of Talking Walls Photography, who had the opportunity to photograph inside the property, and document what remains of this once-popular attraction. Mike was kind enough to give me permission to share some of his photographs..

During my visit, I didn’t venture inside, but toured the grounds from outside the fence. I was curious to see what the castle looked like inside. Mike’s photos offer a tiny glimpse of the spaces and artifacts that now sit in silence, covered in dust.

Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde
Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde

Inside Castle Village, Midland ON ©2023 Photos by Mike Lalonde of Talking Walls Photography. Used with permission.

Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery

After seeing Castle Village and learning about the man who built it, I wanted to find Paul Des Roches’ grave. That brought me to Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery in Tiny Township.

Paul passed away on December 8, 2022, at the age of 86, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.2

The cemetery was quiet when I arrived, much like Castle Village had been earlier in the day. As I searched through the cemetery, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for. Then a ceramic portrait of the castle caught my eye.

I knew immediately that I had found Paul.

His gravestone features a ceramic portrait of Paul and his wife, along with a second portrait of his Enchanted Kingdom. It’s such a fitting detail for someone whose life was so closely tied to the place he had created.

I took a moment to pay my respects and thank Paul for bringing a little bit of whimsy and creativity into the world.

Gravestone of Paul Des Roches. Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lafontaine ON ©2026

This story highlights one of my favourite things about visiting cemeteries. You never know where a little curiosity will take you or what you might uncover.

Paul had a dream and actually built it. Castle Village might be quiet now, but his creativity and imagination are still there. It’s a bit inspiring.

I think the world could use more people who are willing to dream up something a little different and make it happen. A little more whimsy wouldn’t hurt either.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Castle Village And Enchanted Kingdom in Midland Ontario | Talking Walls Photography
  2. Paul’s Obituary | Budgell Funeral Home

Cemetery Recipes: Fried Ripe Tomatoes

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You expect to find recipes in a cookbook, but sometimes you can find them carved into a gravestone.

That’s what makes cemetery recipes so interesting to me. They’re not just instructions for making something tasty. They’re also a little piece of someone’s life, preserved in stone for anyone who happens to come across it.

This month, I am trying a recipe for Fried Ripe Tomatoes that belongs to Whanitta Sheetz, whose gravestone can be found in Buck Street Cemetery in Pembroke, New Hampshire.

Whanitta (Parry) Sheetz was born in Vermont on September 26, 1941, and spent many years living in Pembroke, New Hampshire.1 She and her husband, Marshall, owned and operated M & W Seafood Co. and the Maple Grove Campground.1 She also worked as a mental health aide at the New Hampshire State Hospital and as a Disaster Team Member for FEMA.1

Family was important to Whanitta. Her obituary describes her as someone who loved spending time with her family, especially cooking and playing games together. She was also an avid Red Sox fan, a nature lover, and an excellent cribbage player.1

Whanitta died on January 16, 2015, at the age of 73. Her obituary notes that she was buried in Buck Street Cemetery that spring.1

What makes her memorial especially interesting is the recipe for Fried Ripe Tomatoes engraved on her gravestone.

  • Whanitta Sheetz Fried Ripe tomatoes gravestone recipe. Buk Street Cemetery, Pembroke NH. Photo by Find a Grave contributor Randy Cummings.
    Whanitta’s Fried Ripe Tomato gravestone recipe. Buck Street Cemetery, Pembroke NH. Photo by Find a Grave contributor Randy Cummings.

It’s a simple recipe, and I think that’s part of what makes it a good one. Instead of a traditional epitaph, there’s a little piece of something Whanitta enjoyed making, left behind for others to discover.

The recipe, as engraved on the headstone:

Whanitta’s Fried Ripe Tomato Recipe

Ingredients: 3 large ripe tomatoes. 3 cups of flour. 3 tbs butter. 3 tbs olive oil. 1/2 cup milk.

Tools: Electric frying pan. Baking dish. Spatula.

Directions: Pre-heat pan to 350-400 degrees. Heat butter and olive oil in pan. Put flour in a dish for coating. Cut tomatoes into thick slices and dip in flour. When pan is hot, place tomatoes in the pan. Cook first side 4-6 minutes until dark brown. Flip and cook other side for 2-4 minutes. Place tomatoes in baking dish. Deglaze hot pan with milk by stirring milk in the pan until mixture becomes a little thicker (2-3 minutes). Pour milk mixture over the tomatoes and let it sit for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy.

In the Kitchen

This simple recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients and has clear, straightforward instructions. I picked up a few nice, plump, ripe tomatoes at the grocery store, and that was really all I needed to buy. Or so I thought.

Once I got home and started getting everything together, I realized I didn’t have any milk. Luckily, my mom lives upstairs, so I borrowed some from her. She’s vegan though, which meant I ended up using almond milk instead. It seemed like a reasonable substitute, and luckily, it worked just fine.

There was one other change I had to make. The recipe specifically calls for an electric frying pan, and I don’t have one of those. So, I used a regular frying pan over medium-high heat and hoped for the best.

The recipe itself couldn’t be easier. I sliced up the tomatoes and put the flour on a dinner plate to give me a large enough surface to coat each slice. It was fun, although a little messy. I fried the tomatoes for the recommended amount of time and ended up having to cook them in two batches. Once they were done, I transferred them to a baking dish.

I then deglazed the frying pan with the almond milk and poured the mixture over the fried tomatoes. While they sat, I pan-seared a small steak to go with them.

I will admit I didn’t let them sit for a full 30 minutes. Once my steak was ready, I plated everything and dug in.

  • Supper: steak and fried ripe tomatoes

I have to admit, cooking tomatoes this way felt a little foreign to me. I’d never had them fried growing up, and I don’t remember ever seeing them on a menu, so these were completely new to me. But that’s exactly why I enjoy making these recipes.

These were good! They made a really easy side dish and would be a great addition to a summer BBQ.

I love that Whanitta’s recipe is still being made and shared years after her death. A recipe can be such a personal thing, especially when it’s connected to family, and putting one on a gravestone is certainly one way to make sure it’s never forgotten.

For me, that’s what makes these cemetery recipes so much fun. I get to learn a little about the person behind the recipe, and then I get to bring a small piece of their story into my own kitchen.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Whanitta Sheetz (Obituary) | Concord Monitor

Cemetery Book Review: Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries

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Cemeteries are meant to be permanent places of remembrance, but history shows that isn’t always the case.

As cities grow and land becomes more valuable, burial grounds are sometimes neglected, relocated, or even erased. It’s a reminder that the places around us are constantly changing, and that some stories can easily be lost if no one takes the time to document them.

That’s what drew me to the work of cemetery photographer and writer Ed Snyder. I’ve been following Snyder on Instagram for a while, and I’ve also enjoyed reading his blog, The Cemetery Traveler. I even included his blog in a previous post about some of my favourite cemetery bloggers.

So, when I heard that he had released a new book, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs, I was excited to check it out.

Here is the synopsis, from America Through Time:

“Since its inception, Philadelphia has created spaces for its dead. Some still exist, but many are gone or have been neglected and teeter on the edge of oblivion. Between 1850 and 1950, cemeteries across the nation disappeared as cities grew—developers wanted the land. Accompanied by Snyder’s photographs, the reader is taken through Philadelphia and surrounding areas, examining cemeteries of all sizes and eras—many that were destroyed in the name of progress.”

  • Book cover of Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs

Published in 2025, as part of the America Through Time series, the book explores cemeteries in and around Philadelphia that have been abandoned, neglected, or even erased over time. Snyder explains that as cities expanded between 1850 and 1950, many cemeteries across the United States disappeared as developers sought land for growing communities.1

The book takes readers on a tour of these forgotten places.

Some of the stories are surprising, including a graveyard that now sits beneath a playground, tombstones discovered in the Delaware River, and an abandoned burial ground hidden in the woods. While some stories are frustrating, others are encouraging. In a few cases, volunteers have stepped in to restore them.

Of course, the highlight of the book is the photography.

Snyder’s full colour images are beautiful and really help tell the story of each cemetery. The photos show both the beauty of these places and the reality of their condition. It’s obvious that he cares about documenting them before they disappear completely. Snyder approaches each one with curiosity and respect, which makes the book enjoyable even if you’re not already familiar with Philadelphia’s cemetery history.

Overall, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs is a great read for anyone who enjoys history or has an interest in cemeteries. If you like forgotten places, local history, and cemetery photography, I think it’s worth adding to your reading list.

Thanks for reading! 

References:

  1. Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs | America Through Time

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you!

Stone Stories: Pamela Harvey’s Long Journey Home

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Some stories stay with you for a long time. Pamela Harvey’s story was one of those, for me.

For decades, Pamela was one of Sudbury’s missing persons. Her name appeared on lists of unsolved cases and in newspaper articles. Her family spent years wondering what happened and hoping that one day they would finally know the truth.

After 47 years, that answer finally came.

Who Was Pamela Harvey?

Before Pamela Harvey became known as one of Sudbury’s missing persons, she was a daughter, a sister, a mother, and someone who loved adventure.

Pam, as her family called her, was born and raised in McKellar, Ontario. She was independent, headstrong, and always looking for new adventures.1 Shortly after turning 18, she moved west to British Columbia, where she met Richard “Rick” Rousseau.1 The couple later welcomed their son, Ricky, but after their relationship ended, Pam returned to Ontario to raise her son closer to family.1

Back in Ontario, Pam worked as a waitress in Parry Sound before moving to Sudbury in 1977.1 Her family described her as bright, full of personality, and easy to befriend.1 She worked hard to support her young son and build a life for the two of them.1

In Sudbury, Pam lived with little Ricky in an apartment on Lloyd Street and worked at the Kingsway Hotel.1 She was a devoted mother, so when her sister Cate received a call that Ricky had been left in someone else’s care and that Pam was gone, the family immediately knew something was wrong.1

Pam’s family travelled to Sudbury to bring Ricky home and try to figure out what had happened. When they entered her apartment, they found her clothing, jewellery, and other personal belongings still there.1 To them, it did not look like Pam had simply walked away from her life.1

Pam was officially reported missing by her father, Gerald Harvey, on Christmas Day, 1978.1 She was only 23 years old.

For decades, her family lived with unanswered questions about what had happened to her.

Unsolved

Over the years, questions remained about whether Pam may have known something connected to a violent incident that happened in Sudbury around the same time she disappeared.1 There were also questions about whether Pam may have witnessed a murder. Without knowing what happened to her, it remained one of the many unanswered questions surrounding her case.1

I had the opportunity to work with local author Sarah May on her book Unsolved Sudbury, which featured Pam’s story. At the book launch, her son and other family members attended. It was amazing to have them there, but it was also heartbreaking. It was clear how much Pam was missed, and how large a space she had left behind in their family and their hearts.

One of the hopes behind the book was that by continuing to share these stories, new information might come forward and help bring answers to families who had been waiting for them.

  • Book cover of Unsolved Sudbury by Sarah May.
    Unsolved Sudbury: Missing, Murdered, Unexplained. by Sarah May.

Identified

After nearly five decades of questions and uncertainty, there was finally a breakthrough in the case.

In March 1979, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in St-Eustache, Quebec.2 Investigators determined that she had been the victim of a homicide, but her identity had remained unknown for decades.2

Although forensic technology was limited at the time, evidence collected during the original investigation was carefully preserved.2 In 2026, a collaborative effort between the Sûreté du Québec, the Greater Sudbury Police Service, the Québec Coroner’s Office, and the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale used modern forensic methods, including DNA analysis, to identify the woman as Pamela Harvey.2

After decades of uncertainty, Pam’s family finally had some answers.

Although 47 years had passed, the evidence that helped identify Pam had been carefully preserved. It is a powerful reminder that preserving stories matters. The details we save today can help bring someone’s story back into the light years later.

When I read the news, I immediately thought back to that book launch and to Pam’s family. I thought about all the years they had spent hoping and looking for answers. Nothing can undo that kind of loss, but there is something meaningful about finally being able to give a name back to a person who had been unknown for so long.

  • Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar ON ©2026
    Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar ON ©2026

Lakeview Cemetery

It was a bright and sunny day when I visited Lakeview Cemetery. The rural cemetery was quiet, and I wasn’t exactly sure where Pam was buried, so I walked the rows of headstones. I knew I was looking for a grey marker with two ceramic portraits on it.

After searching for a while, I spotted the stone in the distance. There was Pam’s face looking back at me.

Pam shares a gravestone with her father, Gerald, who passed away in 2015. Her mother, Yvonne, also has a place in the family plot and is still living. A ceramic portrait of Gerald and Yvonne sits beside the Harvey family name, while a portrait of Pam sits above her epitaph. It is the same portrait that was often used in the media when talking about her disappearance.

“Pamela Orlean
Mar. 7, 1955
Always loved. Never forgotten”

Her death date is still blank.

If I had walked up the left side of the cemetery first, I would have seen the Harvey name engraved on the back of the stone. Instead, I came upon Pam’s portrait first.

It was really moving to visit her gravestone in person. For the longest time, the stone had been a cenotaph, a memorial to someone whose final resting place was unknown.

I don’t know if Pam will eventually be brought home to rest beside her father. I hope she will. But there’s something comforting about knowing where she is now, even if many questions about what happened to her, still remain.

Gravestone of Pamela Harvey. Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar ON ©2026

There was one thought I couldn’t shake as I stood there. Pam had been found nearly fifty years ago, but no one knew it was her.

The advances in forensic technology are pretty amazing.

Evidence that was collected nearly 50 years ago was still there, waiting for the technology that could finally give Pam her name back. I hope we continue to hear more stories like this, where missing people are identified, and families finally get the chance to bring their loved ones home, and find some closure.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Unsolved Sudbury by Sarah May | Book
  2. Collaborative effort leads to identification of Missing Person, Pamela Harvey (1978 Greater Sudbury) | GSPS

Off on a Summer Break (Be Back Soon)

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It’s summer vacation time, again!

It feels a bit funny saying that, when things have already been pretty quiet here, but summer is short and I need to take advantage. Plus there are still so many stories I want to explore.

I’ve got a couple of road trips planned, plus some beach days sprinkled in between. I want to make sure I actually take a break. A bit of exploring, a bit of driving around, and a bit of doing absolutely nothing for once.

Yes, beach days mean I’ll probably have a book with me, but research can still be relaxing, right?

So, the blog will be quiet for about two weeks, but I’ll still be posting on social media like usual, and I’ll likely throw up a few reels here and there from whatever I get up to.

I’ll be back after the break with new photos and stories from what I find along the way.

I hope everyone gets a bit of time this summer to step away from routine and do something you enjoy.

Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Recipes: Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

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Summer is barbecue season!

It’s the perfect time to fire up the grill, gather friends and family, and enjoy long summer evenings filled with good food and good company. So while researching gravestone recipes online, I came across what felt like the perfect summer cemetery recipe to try.

The grave of Jono Bot features more than just his name and dates. His monument also includes one of his favourite marinade recipes, permanently etched in stone. It features an airbrushed image of Jono grilling at a barbecue, with a recipe inscribed in his own handwriting.1

The Story Behind the Stone

Jon Breen “Jono” Bot was born on January 26, 1956.² He grew up near Luverne, Minnesota, before building a name for himself in nearby Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There, he owned several restaurants and bars that became gathering places for good food, live music, and spending time with friends and family.3

One of his best-known contributions was JonoFest, a music event named after him that celebrated local bands and became a Sioux Falls tradition.3 The festival drew thousands of people over the years and reflected his strong connection to the local music scene and community.

That love of food and hospitality comes through clearly in his memorial. Instead of choosing a traditional design, Jono’s gravestone celebrates something he genuinely loved doing. The result is a very personal memorial that immediately catches your attention.

Recipe gravestones are always fascinating because they preserve something from everyday life. Some memorials focus on careers, hobbies, or favourite quotes. Others, like this one, celebrate the simple moments that bring people together.

Jono passed away on September 25, 2018, at the age of 62.2 He is laid to rest at Saint Catherine Cemetery in Luverne, Minnesota. His obituary opens with the line, “After the band finished the final encore and the house lights came up, Jono Bot left the show and stepped out into the hands of God.”3 It feels especially fitting considering how connected he was to music, community events, and bringing people together.

  • Black granite gravestone engraved with a recipe
    Gravestone of Jon Bot. Saint Catherine Cemetery in Luverne, Minnesota. Photo by Find a Grave contributor, Denise1964. Photo used with permission.

Here is the recipe exactly as it appears on the gravestone:

Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 2/3 cup soy
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 3 tb spoon Worch
  • 2 “ lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

A couple things stood out to me right away. First, “Worch” is shorthand for Worcestershire sauce. Second, despite the title mentioning Jack Daniel’s, the recipe itself simply says “bourbon.”

Since this is a marinade, I assumed the meat should sit for at least a couple of hours, or ideally overnight, before cooking. I decided to try it on pork chops.

In the Kitchen

This recipe was incredibly easy to put together. I only needed to pick up a few things from the grocery store. I had run out of soy sauce, needed a fresh lemon, and, of course, I needed the whiskey.

That sent me down an interesting rabbit hole about the difference between bourbon and whiskey.

The recipe is called Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade, but the ingredients on the gravestone simply list bourbon. Since I was curious about the difference, I stopped by my local LCBO and asked one of the staff members for some advice.

There was one small problem right away. At the moment, American alcohol has been removed from LCBO shelves as part of Ontario’s response to the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States. That meant Jack Daniel’s wasn’t an option.

Instead, the staff member recommended Jameson’s Irish Whiskey. He explained that, because Jack Daniel’s is made using the sour mash process, Jameson’s would be one of the closest alternatives currently available.

I also asked about the bourbon versus whiskey question.

He explained that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. It turns out that bourbon has to meet some specific legal requirements, including being made in the United States from a mash containing at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. Even though he suggested another whiskey that was a little closer to a traditional bourbon, I decided to stick with something closer to Jack Daniel’s since that’s what the recipe is named after.

Once I had all the ingredients, making the marinade couldn’t have been easier. I grabbed a large bowl, measured out all the ingredients, and mixed them in the same order as they appear on the gravestone.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. With half a cup of whiskey in the recipe, it definitely had a strong aroma. The marinade was also very dark, which made it a bit tricky to photograph.

To test it out, I thawed two pork chops from my freezer and let them marinate overnight. They were completely submerged, so I probably could have added another piece or two of meat, but that’s all I had. The next morning, I flipped them over and let them continue marinating until it was time to barbecue after work.

  • Marinated pork chops on the BBQ

Dinner almost went exactly as planned.

I fired up the barbecue and added the pork chops, along with some corn and green beans. Then, halfway through cooking, I ran out of propane! Thankfully, I was able to finish everything off in the oven. My mom also shared some of her potato wedges, that she had made, to round out the dish.

Despite the unexpected interruption, the pork chops turned out fantastic. They were flavourful, juicy, and had just the right balance of sweetness and savoury flavour. This is definitely a recipe I’ll be making again. It’s so simple to prepare, perfect for summer barbecues, and one I can easily see serving to friends and family.

A favourite barbecue recipe may seem simple, but it can say a lot about a person and the memories they shared with others.

Jono’s gravestone does exactly that. Even years later, it still encourages people to fire up the grill and try something that clearly meant a lot to him.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant | Book
  2. Jon Bot | Find a Grave
  3. Jon “Jono” Bot (Obituary) | Legacy.com

Cemetery Road Trip: Cemeteries & Metal in Matane

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At the beginning of June, my fiancé and I packed up the car and headed east to Matane, Quebec, for the Gaspesian Metal Fest. Since it’s about a 14-hour drive from home, we decided to turn the trip into a full cemetery road trip adventure!

Our first stop was Gatineau, where we stayed with an old friend for the night. While we were there, he took us to a very cool spot in Ottawa called Pub Italia. The place had such an interesting vibe. The decor was full of vintage church pieces and religious items, most of them apparently thrifted over the years. It honestly felt like wandering through an old church basement, mixed with a pub. They also have something called the Beer Bible, which was a massive menu packed with beer choices from all over the place. It was fun flipping through and seeing the huge variety they offered. They don’t serve flights, but they were happy to offer samples so you could try a few different beers before deciding.

The following morning, we hit the road again and made the long drive the rest of the way to Matane. After spending so many hours in the car, we were more than happy to stretch our legs once we arrived. Matane sits right beside the St. Lawrence River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, so the entire town has beautiful seaside views.

The tide was out when we stopped along the shore, so we wandered out across the rocks and walked the beach for a little bit. Chris found a piece of sea glass, and I found a couple of empty crab shells that absolutely came home with me. I can’t resist bringing home little nature treasures from road trips.

After checking into our hotel, we headed downtown to visit the local craft brewery and grab supper. We ordered deep fried pickles that we both agreed were some of the best we’ve ever had. We also had a couple of beer flights so we could sample different brews.

The next morning was dedicated to cemetery exploring.

Saint Ulric Cemetery, Saint-Ulric-de-Matane QC ©2026

The first cemeteries we visited were right along the coast, and the ocean views were beautiful. Some of them had large statues, mixed in with smaller obelisks and older gravestones. I also started noticing similarities in the cemetery gates as we visited more places. A couple of them had “R.I.P.” worked directly into the gate designs, which I thought was an interesting detail.

Cemetery gate with the letters "R.I.P."

Petit-Matane Cemetery, Matane QC ©2026

One thing I noticed on my last Quebec cemetery road trip was that many cemeteries seem to simply take the name of the town they are located in instead of having distinct names like Woodland Cemetery or Parklawn Cemetery. That seemed to be true in eastern Quebec as well. Most of the cemeteries didn’t have signs at the entrances. Instead, I found a few stones deeper inside the cemeteries that had the cemetery names carved into them.

Cimetière Saint-Adelme, Saint-Adelme QC ©2026

Between cemetery stops, we visited the Matane Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. This ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me. Built in 1907, the lighthouse still overlooks the shoreline and has become one of Matane’s best-known landmarks. We practically had the whole place to ourselves, so we wandered through the exhibits before climbing to the top of the lighthouse.

The audio tour was well done, and part of the experience included carrying a large keyring filled with old skeleton keys to the lighthouse tower itself. Since the tower stays locked, you need the key to make your way up the spiral staircase, which honestly made it feel like we were lighthouse keepers heading up to check on the light.

The tour ended with a local folktale about mermaids that claimed sea glass was actually mermaid tears. That felt especially fitting since Chris had found a piece of sea glass the day before. Folklore can be such a fun part of travelling because every area seems to have its own stories and legends.

Matane Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Matane QC ©2026

After the lighthouse, we visited a few nearby villages and stopped at a couple more cemeteries before grabbing lunch. The last cemetery we visited was right across the street from a Dixie Lee, so it felt like a natural place to stop and grab something to eat after exploring. We ended up learning it was actually a chain restaurant, but it hit the spot after a busy morning on the road.

Matane is pretty well known for its shrimp and seafood. We had been hoping to try shrimp poutine and lobster rolls while we were there, but unfortunately we were a little too early in the season. I still managed to get some popcorn shrimp at Dixie Lee though, so at least I got a small taste of the local seafood.

Later that afternoon, we freshened up and headed to the Gaspesian Metal Fest. The venue is right on the waterfront, so it was easy to settle in on the patio with a drink, listen to the bands, and watch the waves roll in at the same time.

That night, we had supper with the guys from Sandveiss, who we had travelled specifically to see. They were super cool, and we had some good conversations throughout the evening. Their set was fantastic and completely worth the drive.

Sandveiss, Gaspesian Metal Fest QC ©2026

Before leaving, we grabbed some band merch and said goodbye to everyone. The only disappointing part was missing out on the festival t-shirt because they had completely sold out by the time we got there. The design featured a shrimp throwing the horns, which honestly sounds perfect for a metal festival in Matane.

The next day was spent driving the 14 hours back home. Since the trip back was so long, we didn’t stop at any cemeteries along the way, though I definitely took screenshots on Google Maps for future trips.

By the time we finally got home, we were both exhausted, sore, and very ready to sleep. Still, it was such a fun trip, and I am really glad we turned a concert weekend into a full cemetery road trip adventure.

Thanks for reading!

My files may be a mess, but the cemeteries are calling

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Well…it’s been a little quiet around here lately.

Last month, I ran into some pretty devastating technical issues that threw a major wrench into both my workflow and my organization system. Thankfully, I’ve managed to sort out most of the big problems, but now comes the long process of going through files, reorganizing folders, and figuring out exactly where everything ended up. That is definitely shaping up to be a winter project.

Right now, though, summer is calling.

Around here, nice weather never lasts long enough, and I fully intend to take advantage of every road trip, cemetery visit, and photography adventure I can before the snow flies again and I retreat into hibernation mode at my computer.

The good news is that while the blog may have been quiet, I certainly haven’t been.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve collected a lot of stories, photos, and cemetery experiences that I’m excited to finally start sharing. There are seaside cemeteries overlooking the water, historic burial grounds filled with fascinating history, and even an enchanted kingdom that felt like something straight out of a storybook.

A little taste of my most recent cemetery road trips.

I’ve also visited some beautiful small towns, discovered hidden details tucked away in old cemeteries, and stumbled across a few unexpected stories that I can’t wait to dive deeper into. Honestly, that is one of my favourite parts of cemetery photography. You never really know what you’re going to uncover until you start exploring.

So, consider this my official “I’m back” post.

I’m looking forward to getting back into a regular posting schedule again, sharing more road trips, more history, more photography, and probably a few odd little discoveries along the way, too.

Thanks for hanging around while I worked through the technical mess behind the scenes. I’m happy to be back and can’t wait to share more cemetery adventures soon.

As always, thanks for reading!

A Very Rough Week Behind the Blog

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This week’s blog post is going to look a little different.

Earlier this week, my cat stepped on my keyboard and somehow managed to delete my entire cemetery photography folder. Years of cemetery photos, research, blog drafts, and organizing work disappeared in an instant. Needless to say, it has been a stressful few days.

Thankfully, I do have a backup from early 2025, so not everything is gone. I’ve also been working through recovery software trying to salvage as much as possible from my hard drive. So far, I think I’ve managed to recover most of it, but there are still around 800 files missing, and I’m not yet sure exactly what was lost.

Right now, my main focus is rebuilding and reorganizing everything. Once I finish recovering what I can, I’ll need to merge those files with my backup and basically piece my archive back together folder by folder. It’s going to take some time.

Unfortunately, that also means the post I had planned for this week is going to be delayed while I sort everything out.

This has been a painful reminder about the importance of backups. I had actually planned to buy a new terabyte drive earlier this year and start doing more regular backups, but I kept putting it off.

I definitely regret that decision now.

Once everything is stabilized again, I’ll be setting up a much cleaner backup system and doing monthly backups moving forward.

I’m not going to pretend this week has been easy. I’ve lost sleep over it, and seeing years of work suddenly disappear was honestly heartbreaking. But I’m trying to stay hopeful. I think most of the archive can be recovered, even if rebuilding everything will take a while.

So if things seem a little quieter here over the next little bit, that’s why. And if there’s one thing I can pass along from this experience: back up your files.

Seriously. Don’t wait until something goes wrong.

Thanks for sticking with me while I get things back in order.