Over the summer I took a little break from making gravestone recipes, but I think it’s time to try another one. Fall is coming, so what better time to make chocolate chip cookies? They are always the best when they are still warm from the oven.
I came across this gravestone on reddit, posted by user ubercrabby. So, today on the blog, I want to try making Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Cookie Book gravestone of Jennifer P. Ferrante.
Cookie Book gravestone of Jenny P. Ferrante. Photo by Reddit user ubercrabby.
Ferrante’s red granite gravestone, found in a cemetery in upstate New York, is shaped like a book, with “Cookie Book” inscribed on the side. The recipe can be found on the back side of the stone.
Jennifer Peggy Allan Ferrante was only 54 when she passed away suddenly in August of 2019. According to her obituary, she was a consulting engineer for many years, traveled extensively, and loved spending time with her family and pets.1 She was also an avid baker and was known for her chocolate chip cookies, which she often shared with her loved ones.1
It seems fitting that they would honor her by inscribing her famous recipe on her gravestone for others to make and share.
Chocolate chip cookie recipe on the gravestone of Jenny P. Ferrante. Photo by Reddit user ubercrabby.
Here is the recipe as inscribed on the gravestone:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
9 to 11 min 375’F
1) 2 1/4 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt
2) 1 cup Crisco 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup light brown sugar
2) 1 tsp vanilla 2 eggs 2 cups chocolate chips
Combine dry Combine wet then add dry
Making the Recipe
Although this recipe is similar to the famous Nestlay Toulouse recipe, also known as Nestle Toll House, there are some small differences—most notably the substitution of Crisco for butter, and the omission of nuts.
It also looks like there might be a typo on the stone, as it has two step 2’s, BUT it might not be a mistake. Both step 2’s contain wet ingredients. Is it possible that it is direction on how to mix the ingredients?
That is the way I read the recipe when I tried it. I mixed the dry ingredients in one bowl, and then in a second bowl, I mixed the ingredients from step 2. Then in the same bowl from step 2, I mixed the vanilla, eggs, and chocolate chips. I was a bit worried about the amount of chocolate chips, it seemed like a lot! When that was mixed well, I then combined the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, forming a nice cookie dough.
The ingredients consist of pantry staples so it was nice not having to make a special grocery trip to make this recipe. I was curious about the use of Crisco instead of butter. Crisco or shortening, is made from 100% hydrogenated vegetable oil and contains no water.2 It has a higher melting point than butter, so it tends to produce more lift and holds its shape better.2
I try my best to stick to the recipes as written on the gravestone and only make substitutions when necessary—like when ingredients are not available. That being said, shortening has no flavor, so baked goods made with it do miss that buttery taste that only butter can produce. If I made this recipe again, I would make the switch and use butter.
Otherwise, following this recipe was incredibly easy and was a quick one to make. The trickiest part for me was spooning the cookie dough from the bowls to the parchment-lined cookie sheets. I had a bit of a hard time getting uniformed portions so after the first cookie sheet was full, I put a little oil on my hands, to prevent the dough from sticking, and rolled the rest of the dough into balls for the second cookie sheet.
In the end, both cookie sheets came out the same, with the cookies spreading out into each other. I should have given them more space and used one more cookie sheet.
My worries about the amount of chocolate chips were also unwarranted as they didn’t come out a melty chocolate mess. These cookies are incredibly decadent, and delicious!
This is a tasty cookie recipe and easy to make. I can see how this would quickly become a favorite. It’s also a simple recipe with room for modifications if desired. I would make this one again the next time I am craving a nice chocolate chip cookie.
Have you tried this recipe? Or do you have another gravestone recipe suggestion I should try? I would love to read about it, in the comments!
This summer, I decided to download the Pokémon GO app on my smartphone to see if anything had changed in the game. I thought it might be fun to see if the game was still as popular today as it was when it first came out in 2016. I was also curious to see what I could find in the game while out visiting cemeteries.
Pokémon GO, the augmented reality game based on the popular kids cartoon, launched in early July 2016. The free-to-play mobile game quickly took off with kids, and adults, taking to the streets to try and catch’em all.
Using GPS and Google Maps the game points out local landmarks near you and encourages users to go outside, be active, and explore. Using the phone’s camera and augmented reality, the game makes it possible to see Pokémon within whatever background you point your camera at. Adding to the experience, the type of Pokémon you can find depends on the time of day, weather, and the landscape. You will more likely find water-type Pokémon near lakes and rivers, plant types in parks or forests, and ghost types in—you guessed it—cemeteries.
Pokémon GO screenshot
Controversy
Along with many Pokémon to catch, the game also features Poké Stops and Poké Gyms. Players, or trainers as they are called in the game, can visit these locations to stock up on free in-game items to aid in their Pokémon collecting or to strengthen their Pokémon.
These virtual locations are found at the sites of real-world landmarks; like murals, historic plaques, and memorials. This created some controversy from the beginning, as players who were keen to catch stronger and rarer Pokémon began getting themselves into some trouble.
There were many reports of some folks accidentally getting locked in cemeteries after hours, and large mobs of players congregating loudly in cemeteries, among other things. Some cemeteries and historic sites, such as the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery have banned Pokémon GO on their grounds. Other cemeteries have followed suit, contacting Niantic, the makers of the game, to remove the Poké Stops and gyms from their grounds. Others have also placed warning signs, making it clear that playing on the grounds is not allowed.
Pokémon GO was a fairly divisive topic when it was first released. Some argued that the game could be beneficial, bringing more people into cemeteries and historic places, and encouraging people to learn more about their surroundings and history. It was also argued that playing Pokémon GO in cemeteries allowed players to explore and talk about their feelings regarding death.
On the other hand, people argued that it was disrespectful and not proper behavior for a cemetery. The large gatherings were deemed to be disruptive, and those who ignored their surroundings were potentially causing damage or possible injury.
I believe these are all valid points. Cemeteries are the precursors to today’s public parks and were once the place to go for a picnic or a meandering walk in nature. I often say that cemeteries are for the living and should be visited and enjoyed.
Of course, it can’t be forgotten that these are also places of mourning and remembrance and should be treated as such. I have spoken before about cemetery etiquette and how you should always be respectful of your surroundings.
Are Gamers still Haunting Cemetery Grounds?
So are gamers still haunting cemetery grounds to catch elusive Pokémon? In my experience, no.
In the 100 cemeteries I visited this Spring and Summer, I was the only one who was trying to catch’em all. I don’t usually bring my smartphone with me on cemetery walks unless I am working on creating video content for Instagram. Otherwise, I only have my trusty DLSR with me. I did try to make a point to have my phone with me this Summer, specifically to play Pokémon GO. I was not always successful at remembering though. Though I did try, it never became a huge part of my time in the cemetery. I would open the app, catch one or two Pokémon, and then put it away to focus the rest of my time on photographing the gravestones.
I did make some observations though while scanning the game. Smaller cemeteries usually didn’t have any Poké Stops, but some of the larger cemeteries did. Larger cemeteries often have multiple meandering walking paths that would be suitable for walking routes. Routes are a new feature in the game, that was introduced in 2023. These routes are just small walking trails that vary in length. The idea is to encourage players to be active by offering free items on completion of the route.
The Poké Stops I came across were located at large commemorative memorials, or the entrance of a cemetery. I didn’t find any that were connected to individual memorials.
Although it was a fun experiment, Pokémon GO will not become a regular part of my cemetery visits. I already have a long list of things I look for when visiting cemeteries. I found myself being more drawn to the game when I was traveling, especially when traveling by train. It was a fun distraction to pass the time.
I do think Pokémon GO could be a fun activity to encourage people to get more interested in history and the story of their community. As long as it’s done respectfully of course.
What do you think? Do you still play, or do you think you may download the app. I would love to read your thoughts in the comments.
Back-to-school season is here in Northern Ontario. Summer break is over, and children are returning to the classroom. As parents get their young ones ready for another school year, school buses are also preparing to get back on the road.
Around this time, messaging starts about road and bus safety. It often makes me think of a big yellow and black billboard I would sometimes see on my travels. Although the billboard on Old Highway 69 is in bad shape and peeling now, I still remember when it had the smiling face of a young boy, imploring drivers to STOP for the school bus.
Little Adam Ranger has become the face of school bus safety. How that came to be is a sad and tragic story.
On February 11, 2000, Ranger was struck and killed getting off the school bus in Mattawa. The school bus had stopped on the highway to let 5-year-old Adam and his older brother Alex off the bus at the end of the school day.
A pick-up truck tried to pass the school bus, even though the bus was fully stopped with its lights flashing and its stop arm fully extended. The truck swerved and missed Ranger and his brother, but the trailer that the truck was towing made contact, hitting Adam and killing him. This devasting scene happened just steps away from his home.1
Since that tragic day, Pierre Ranger, Adam’s older brother, has fought for amendments to the regulations for school bus safety.
2024 marks the 24th anniversary of Ranger’s death.
Mattawa
Mattawa has never forgotten Adam. When my mother and I visited Mattawa last fall, we explored the Mattawa Museum which has a small exhibit about Ranger. It included the well-known billboard image and postcards that carry the bus safety message.
Ranger is laid to rest in Saint Annes Cemetery, also known as Saint Annes Catholic Cemetery. My mother and I paid our respects at the cemetery, admiring his lovely headstone. It’s a loving tribute to a life taken too soon.
Ranger’s black granite gravestone features a beautiful portrait of Adam, a small etching of the cartoon mouse Stewart Little, and an epitaph that reads “Playing with Pépère”. The base of his gravestone is cluttered with stones, tokens from those who have visited to pay their respects.
One gravegood stands out among the rest—a skull. It’s worn from the elements, it’s white paint chipped away. Deb Ranger, Adam’s mother, has said that Halloween was Adam’s favorite holiday. He loved it more than Christmas.2
Putting their grief and anger to work, the Ranger family created the Let’s Remember Adam campaign. Its mission is to ensure that all children travel to and from school safely each day and to remind motorists to STOP for the school bus.3
Ontario drivers illegally pass school buses more than 30,000 times per day, according to the statistics.4 There is a lot of work to be done, but Pierre Ranger is undaunted.
Let’s Remember Adam has been a big contributor to the success of the Safer School Buses Act, 2021 which has officially become law.5 As of the 2022-2023 school year, Ontario requires all school buses manufactured after 2005 to have the amber-red warning system installed.5 This system, which Ranger had been advocating for, for years, consists of a new lighting system that lets drivers know when a school bus is approaching its next stop. A set of amber lights will flash when the school bus is approaching its stop, signaling that it is slowing down to stop. The red lights then activate when the bus has come to a complete stop.5
The group has also successfully lobbied for stop-arm cameras to be installed on school buses, to identify those who don’t stop and pass illegally. Mattawa was the first community to have this camera system mounted on 19 buses in their fleet.6 This free system is available to any municipality that wants the added security.6 The ultimate goal is to have these stop-arm safety systems installed on all school buses in the province.7
Let’s Remember Adam bumper sticker. Photo: Let’s Remember Adam Facebook Page.
The Ranger family has been a strong contributor to bus and road safety, while at the same time keeping the memory of little Adam alive. Adam’s story is an important and timely one. I hope by sharing and remembering Adam, I can do a small part in spreading more awareness about bus safety and all the good work the Let’s Remember Adam campaign has accomplished.
I hope it will also be a good reminder to drivers as this year’s school season begins, to please STOP for the school bus.
Who doesn’t love a road trip; especially one that is pre-planned for you? All you need is your sense of adventure, a full tank of gas, and someone to share it with!
I mentioned last week that I would share more details about the Guess Where Trips adventure that my mom and I did during our summer vacation. So, today on the blog, I wanted to introduce you to this fun company, if you haven’t already heard of them, and share a little bit more about how our adventure played out.
Marilu, the Travel Support Specialist at Guess Where Trips, gave me a Historic Haunts tour to try out for free, in return for an honest review. The Historic Haunts tour includes a couple of cemetery stops, so it was a perfect fit! This trip is a round-up of spooky and unusual attractions, leading you on a route full of haunted history and ghostly stories. My favorite kind of road trip!
Guess Where Trips
Guess Where Trips offers beautifully packaged, one-day surprise road trips that will take you to all manner of hidden gems in Canada and the United States. Inspired after creating a scavenger hunt-style road trip as a gift to her parents, Jess Off founded Guess Where Trips in January of 2020.1 These curated road trips encourage you to explore the road less traveled, while also supporting small businesses and communities along the way.1
Lots of meticulous planning and research goes into all 135 available trips. And they are working on creating new adventures all the time. On June 20th of this year, they released 13 new trips that feature Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
In a recent email, the Guess Where Trips team shared all the intricate work and planning that goes into designing their trips. A big part of their planning revolves around what they call their “magic map”, an evolving map filled with pinned locations that serve as a foundation for outlining their growing list of surprise road trips.
I thought their magic map looked pretty similar to my master map of Ontario cemeteries. Although mine focuses on cemetery locations, there are a few hiking trails, and museums pinned on there. I use my map a bit differently, using it to track visited sites (the grey pins) and as a starting point for creating location-specific maps for my cemetery road trips.
The Guess Where Trips Magic Map and the left, my master map of Ontario cemeteries on the right.
The Historic Haunts tour was the first ghostly trip created by Jess Off and her team and was initially most popular around the Halloween season. Today, all their haunted trips have become popular regardless of the season. Some of the other spooky trips they offer in Ontario are Weird and Wonderful Things, Spooky Sights & Ghostly Tales, Beautifully Haunted, and Hidden Gems of Huronia.
They offer an adventure for everyone! If haunted hidden gems are not your thing, you might enjoy one of their other themed trips. They have trips that feature wineries, and breweries, romantic getaways, scenic drives, and outdoorsy adventures.
My Guess Where Adventure
The Historic Haunts tour begins in Cambridge, Ontario which is about a 4-and-a-half-hour drive from me. So, my mother and I packed up the car and took advantage of the nice summer weather to make an overnight trip. We drove up to the tri-city on Thursday, with plans to follow the surprise road trip all day on Friday. Then we would drive home on the Saturday. This gave us some extra time to explore the area, so I found some other things for us to do as well.
Friday morning, after a nice breakfast, we opened our first envelope to see where our first stop would take us. It brought us to downtown Cambridge to explore the architecture and haunted history of some of its older buildings. With coffee in hand, we sat outside the beautiful stone building that was once a Post Office, and read the tragic tale of a torrid love affair that ended in suicide. Even though it was a bright sunny morning, it was still a bit spooky to be looking up at so much dark history.
Our second stop brought us to a beautiful historic house and art gallery. We were a little early, arriving before they opened for the day, so we decided to explore the optional spooky abandoned spot that was just around the corner—The Doon Mills Ruins.
Things got a little interesting at this point. The Doon Mills, originally built in 1834 have seen many tragedies, having burned in a fire not once, but twice! Today, many people report ghostly occurrences at this small section of ruins that sit at the trailhead. People claim to have heard ghostly footsteps or even heard their name called. Almost as soon as we arrived at the ruins, my mother complained of a burning wood smell. I didn’t smell anything though. My mom got a little creeped out when I reminded her that smelling burning wood was something many people experienced when visiting the ruins.
We made our way back to the Homer Watson House & Gallery once it had opened for the day, and was given a lovely tour by the staff. They made sure to tell us the haunted history of the place when we told them we were on the Haunted History tour. It is a beautiful house with a very interesting history. After exploring the house, I just had to ask where Homer Watson might be buried. It just so happens that he is laid to rest in the cemetery just down the road from the historic house, so my mother and I made an extra stop to visit his grave and pay our respects.
Remember how I mentioned I had found some other things for us to visit while we were in Cambridge for the tour? Well, that ended up mucking up our surprise road trip a little bit. The third stop on our road trip directed us to a haunted tower and an ancient cemetery. Well, it just so happens that my mother and I had visited this location the day before. It was a perfect evening activity as it checked a lot of boxes for us; a historic site, a cemetery, and a walking trail. At the time of our visit though, we had no idea the tower was haunted.
By this time it was also the lunch hour, so instead of visiting that location again, we decided to try one of the recommended restaurant stops. We visited the Borealis Grille & Bar to have some lunch and read through some of the haunted history of the tower we visited the evening before. After that nice rest, we opened our next envelope.
Our fourth envelope presented a choose-your-own-adventure opportunity. So it worked out that we had already visited the previous stop. This gave us more time to visit multiple locations on this leg of our road trip adventure.
We chose to visit Rushes Cemetery in Wellesley first. I was pretty excited to see this listed as the first optional stop. There is a very interesting gravestone in this cemetery, and it has been on my cemetery bucket list for a while. This cemetery is the final resting place of Henrietta and Susanna, the first and second wives of Dr. Samuel Bean. What makes this stone so unique is the fact that this tombstone is written in a crossword code, and it took over 100 years to decode it.
After I took some time to photograph the cemetery we made our way to Fergus to visit the Wellington Museum & Archives. By the time we got there, we would have just enough time for a quick tour before they closed for the day.
Once known as the Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge, built in 1877, this beautiful building now houses a permanent display of the Institution’s history, as well as a few changing exhibits. The permanent exhibit “If These Walls Could Speak” explores the lives of the people who lived, worked, and died within the walls of the Poor House. It’s not surprising this National Historic site is also home to a few ghosts.
After we toured the building, taking in all the interesting exhibits and history we made our way down the road to visit the Poorhouse Cemetery. This cemetery sits at the edge of the property and was established for those who had no family to claim them. After we paid our respects at the cemetery, we headed back to Cambridge to have some supper and rest at the hotel.
Our Historic Haunts tour was a great success. My mother and I had a lot of fun exploring and learning about the community and local history. It was a great mix of haunted history, museums, and cemeteries. Although we did add a couple of cemetery stops to our trip, it made sense to stop in and pay our respects after learning so much about their history.
I also loved the surprise element and the choose-your-own-adventure style. Opening each envelope was a fun addition that created a sense of anticipation. The multiple options also gave you the freedom to choose how your route was going to unfold. The restaurant and cafe options were also great additions, taking into account that you may get hungry or need a coffee break during all the exploring. It is so well thought out!
I asked my mom what she thought of the trip and she loved that all the planning is done for you and that it was really easy to follow. She also loved all the history that is provided for each stop, her favorite being the tragic tale of love and loss at the Old Post Office. She loved the beautiful architecture but noted that we would have never known about its tragic history, just by looking at the building. She said it was a great adventure!
We had a great time, and we both would recommend these trips to anyone looking for a unique adventure. So if you are looking for road trip ideas, definitely check out Guess Where Trips and let them lead you to some fun and fascinating destinations!
I have been slowly getting back into my regular routine after a fun two-week vacation. For today’s blog post, I wanted to provide a little recap of my holidays and give you a sneak peek of some upcoming blog posts based on my summer cemetery adventures.
I did quite a bit of traveling during the last two weeks, getting the chance to explore the Ottawa Valley and some of Southern Ontario. My fiancé and I spent some time in Ottawa visiting family and touring a bit of the city. Of course, I tried to fit in as many cemetery visits as I could. I had the chance to visit the grave of the Unknown Soldier on Parliament Hill and witness the changing of the guard. We popped into the lobby of the haunted Chateau Laurier to look at its beautiful architecture, and I even had the chance to stop in at the office of Haunted Walk to say hello and browse their gift shop.
After Ottawa, we made our way to Perth to visit some friends and explore a bit more. We explored the quaint little town and had to stop in at the Mammoth Cheese for a quick photo – I do love a fun roadside attraction. One of my favorite things we did while in Perth was take a short road trip to visit the Mother Barnes Homestead and the grave of the Witch of Plum Hollow. When I was planning our trip and saw how close we would be to Plum Hollow, I knew we had to take the opportunity to visit. The story of Mother Barnes is a very interesting one, full of folklore, politics, and witchcraft. The stigma of which can still be felt today. I look forward to sharing her story and my visit with you in an upcoming blog post.
Another fun thing I did on vacation was take my mom on a Guess Where Trips adventure. They sent me the Historic Haunts tour to try out, which just so happens to have some cemetery stops! We had a great time exploring Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo and its outskirts. I don’t want to get into too much detail here about our trip because I will be writing a full post about our adventures soon, but I will say it was a super fun experience!
Guess Where Trips
If you’re not familiar with Guess Where Trips, I highly recommend you check them out! They offer fun road trip itineraries that will take you to lots of hidden gems. They include interesting facts and stories about each location and great restaurant suggestions. Our trip took us to a haunted historic house and art gallery, mill ruins, a unique tombstone, and a haunted museum. We learned a lot on our trip, and I have a lot to write about for upcoming blog posts.
The last leg of our summer vacation took my fiancé and I to Toronto. We were there for the Sammy Hagar Best of All Worlds Tour. It was a great show, with Lover Boy opening for Hagar. While we were in town, we took the opportunity to hang out with some friends and do some exploring in the downtown core. We checked out a few board game stores, visited our favorite brewery, popped into the new location of the Prehistoria Museum & Store, visited the Monkey’s Paw, and tried an amazing new Mexican place. My favorite stop though, was our visit to the Toronto Necropolis.
The Toronto Necropolis has been on my cemetery bucket list for a while. Can you believe I had never visited any Toronto cemeteries before? This cemetery was high on my list because it is the final resting place of the father of zombie movies – George A. Romero. It’s also a gorgeous cemetery and one of my new favorites. This cemetery also holds some other notable graves and, I look forward to sharing my visit with you.
In total, I made 19 cemetery visits on my holidays and collected a lot of content for upcoming posts on the blog. It was a great vacation and one that made me reconsider my career. If only I could make traveling, photographing cemeteries, and writing about them a full-time job!
I hope I piqued your interest with all the upcoming stories. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog if you haven’t already, to get new cemetery posts straight to your inbox every Sunday. Stay tuned for next week’s post about my Guess Where Trips adventure.
I hope you also got to enjoy some time off this summer to explore, relax, and reconnect with friends and family. The season is so short you need to fit in the summer fun where you can.
If you spend a lot of time in cemeteries, you will often start to notice the repetition of certain symbols. Throughout my travels, I have seen the shift in common cemetery symbols. What might be a common motif found in one area might be uncommon in another.
As I travel Ontario more frequently, I have noticed more and more anchor symbolism. So today on the blog, I wanted to look a little closer at this symbol, what it represents, and some of the examples I have photographed in my travels.
Sometimes anchors are found on the graves of sailors or those who have died at sea, but this is rare. The anchor is a Christian symbol and represents hope, steadfastness, and calm.
The symbolism is thought to come from passages in the bible, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”
You might also come across a female figure holding an anchor. The anchor signifies that this is Hope, one of the Seven Virtues.
The Seven Virtues are traits that some of those of the Christian faith aspire to. According to Tui Snider’s book Understanding Cemetery Symbols, this list of traits was created by Greek philosophers and then adopted by Christian scholars. Sometimes the virtues are labeled on the statue’s pedestal, but you must look closely at their design for clues.
Summer is pretty much in full swing and I know lots of folks are working on getting back out into their local cemeteries to explore. This also means that clean-up and conservation projects are also getting started. That’s why I chose Landscapes of Memories for this month’s cemetery book review.
Landscapes of Memories : A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries, Repairing Tombstones was compiled and edited by Tamara Anson-Cartwright, who at the time this book was published was the Architectural Conservation Advisor for the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation. First published in 1998 by Queen’s Printer for Ontario, this guide focuses on conserving historic cemeteries by identifying the materials found in cemeteries, cleaning gravestones as well as basic gravestone repair. Here is the summary of the book from the publisher:
“Landscapes of Memories – A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries addresses the issues associated with the preservation and conservation of their cemeteries and tombstones. Cemetery trustees and genealogical societies have recorded the irreplaceable information of these tombstones, yet not enough has been written about the historical significance of Ontario’s cemeteries or their contribution to the cultural landscape. Nothing is available that describes conservation techniques appropriate for the different types of grave markers found in Ontario. This publication will begin to fill this void.
The material in this publication reflects accepted conservation principles and addresses the needs of those who are responsible for, as well as those who have a general interest, in the care and maintenance of older cemeteries. It is especially intended for those who own and operate cemeteries, both private and municipal, and for monument builders and contractors who repair grave markers.
This guide has been written by specialists in the fields of heritage conservation, landscape architecture, and masonry conservation. This volume, Repairing Tombstones, provides technical and practical information that will be helpful in making decisions about conserving tombstones.”
Landscapes of Memories : A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries, Repairing Tombstones, compiled and edited by Tamara Anson-Cartwright
I came across this book on Facebook, in one of the Cemetery Repair and Preservation groups I am a part of. Someone had posted some questions about grave preservation techniques, and another group member had responded with a link to this book. You never know where you will come across great resources.
The version I have is an updated edition PDF that was published in 2003. It’s available to read online, for free. I was not able to find a print version, but I am sure it exists out there.
Landscapes of Memories is broken down into four chapters that go into great detail about materials used for gravestones and how to clean them. It also has step-by-step procedures to guide you through some of the basic gravestone repairs you might come across in the cemetery. There is a smattering of lovely black-and-white photos throughout the guide, as well as helpful illustrations. Even though it has a short page count, it packs a lot of information. Along with an extensive appendix, you will also find some relevant sections of the Ontario Cemeteries Act, a glossary of cemetery and masonry terms, and an ample bibliography.
As someone new to gravestone repair and cleaning, and having not attempted it yet myself, I found this guide to be very easy to follow and understand. It has great information on why certain materials should be cleaned a certain way and what the best practices are. Gravestone cleaning and repair are meant to help preserve cemeteries after all, not cause more damage.
I think anyone who is thinking about cleaning and repairing gravestones should read this guide if they have not already. It’s a great primer to help get you started with basic repair and the do’s and don’t of gravestone cleaning.
I will note that some of the information in the appendices is now out of date, for example, the Cemeteries Act was repealed on July 1, 2012.1This means that it is no longer in force, but it does still apply in some situations. It was essentially replaced by the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act.2 There is also no mention of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Established in 2016, the BAO is the government-delegated authority responsible for distributing provisions under the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act.3
The issue of current content when it comes to regulations and regulating bodies is not a new one, and please don’t let that stop you from looking into this resource. I do hope they put out an updated version sooner, rather than later. Landscapes of Memories is a great starting point for those interested in learning more about repairing gravestones in Ontario. The information regarding cleaning is also valuable for those cleaning gravestones all over the world. Having a good understanding of the materials you are cleaning is crucial to do it properly, and to prevent further deterioration.
Considering this is a free resource available online, I recommend every taphophile pick it up. There is a lot of great information here about the different stones and materials that have been used for gravestones over the years. So whether you are interested in gravestone material, how to properly clean a stone, or how to do some basic repair, this is a great guide to pick up.
Thanks for reading!
I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. Please feel free to share yours in the comments. 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.
I have picnicked in a cemetery, had a snack in a graveyard, and even enjoyed breakfast there. But I have never had a BBQ in one before. Last Sunday I had the chance to check this off my bucket list!
On June 23, the St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group held their 8th Annual Cemetery BBQ. This unique fundraiser is held in St. John’s Cemetery in Garson, Ontario—rain or shine.
I have often read about interesting and different events happening in cemeteries, but I have always been too far away to attend. I was very excited when I learned this cool event was happening close to home. I first heard about this fun event a few years ago. I had hoped to attend since I read about it, but it never worked out. This year, I was finally able to check out this neat event.
St. John’s Cemetery was established in 1907. The earliest recorded burial is thought to be Gladys O’Brien, dated May 24, 1907.1 Find a Grave currently lists 3,521 memorials, including one famous grave. St. John’s is the final resting place of professional Hockey player Randy Boyd. Boyd was a defensemen in the NHL for various teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks.2 Boyd passed away in 2022, due to a heart attack while out playing golf, just four days before his 60th birthday.2
ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY VOLUNTEER GROUP
The St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group was founded in 1993, and for the last three decades has taken great care of the cemetery.3There are over 20 volunteers in the group and they have completed a multitude of projects to beautify and maintain the cemetery over the years. Their goal is to make the cemetery a welcoming place for those who visit and pay their respects to loved ones.3 Some of their completed projects include rebuilding the cremation gardens and installing benches and greenery.3
The volunteers come from numerous backgrounds and include electricians, mechanics, construction workers, and carpenters.4 They use this expertise in every project they complete. In 2023, the City of Greater Sudbury celebrated the volunteer group by awarding them the Civic Award for Volunteerism in recognition of all their good works.4
The barbecue has become an annual event and invites the community to visit the cemetery and see for themselves all the work the volunteer group has done. It’s also a great fundraising opportunity. This year, all the proceeds will go to the Sudbury and Garson food banks.
When we arrived we were greeted by green and gold balloons decorating the cemetery entrance. There was a bustle of activity as the volunteers got ready for the crowds. At the entrance was an information table where you could pick up a cemetery map and make a donation.
On the grill, they served up hamburgers and hot dogs, with a small bag of chips on the side. They also had some beverages available, as well as some cake for dessert. My mother and I got our lunch from the lovely volunteers manning the grill and then headed to the Harold J Foley Cremation Garden to sit and eat our lunch.
They had a nice set-up under some tents for folks to stay dry while they ate. My friend and her daughter also joined us for the barbecue and ate with us at the table. The long tables encouraged people to sit together and eat, creating community and conversation.
The conversation mainly focused on the weather though. Unfortunately, the rain would not let up, which led to a chilly and soggy afternoon in the cemetery. But people did not let that stop them. By 1 p.m. there was a long line up at the grill.
After we finished our meal and stopped in at the prize table to buy some tickets, we decided to stroll through the cemetery. We were not the only ones walking the paths that curved through the cemetery grounds.
I noticed many folks sticking to the paths as they walked the cemetery. I tend to walk directly among the gravestones, so I can get a close look at symbolism or better read inscriptions and epitaphs. It’s also better for taking photos. I was not used to seeing so many people in the cemetery. Normally when taking cemetery photos, I try to avoid getting anyone in the shot, waiting till they move, or trying different angles. There was no avoiding it here, as there were many groups of people exploring the cemetery.
Shortly after, the cold and wet was making us uncomfortable so we decided to start heading back to the car. There was still a long lineup at the grill, and many folks gathered around chatting. Spirits were high even though the rain was coming down. It would have been a much more enjoyable event if the weather had cooperated, but there was still a great turnout, despite the rain.
I really enjoyed the cemetery BBQ and am happy there was a good turnout. It was fun to share a meal among the gravestones with friends and to wander the rows with so many people. It was a lively event, despite its setting. I hope the St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group is also happy with the turnout, and collected a big sum to donate to charity.
If I can attend again next year, I will be there! Have you ever had a BBQ in a cemetery before? Or maybe you have been to a different kind of cemetery event? I would love to read about it in the comments.
Earlier this month, two friends and I traveled to Oakville, Ontario for another birthday cemetery road trip. It was a bit ambitious, with us hitting the road at the crack of dawn. We planned to beat the traffic, but also to get a head start on the day since it would be a four-hour drive, each way.
Since it would be such a long drive, we wanted to give ourselves as much time as possible to tour the town and sight-see. And yes, of course, visit cemeteries. There was one stop that was very high on our list—the final resting place of American actor and tap-dancing legend, Gregory Hines.
Gregory Oliver Hines was born February 14, 1946, in New York, New York. Hines began tap lessons at the age of four and would spend much of his childhood practicing and performing alongside his older brother, Maurice Hines.1
The Hines Brothers performed their song-and-dance act all over the United States. In 1963, their father joined them, turning the duo into a trio. They continued to make a name for themselves, making countless TV appearances.1 But in 1973, Hines recognized that tap dancings popularity was declining and left the act to pursue a musical career and start a band. This was short-lived though, and Hines soon returned to New York and the stage.1
In the early 80’s, Hines made the transition to Television and film actor. His first feature film credit is his portrayal of Josephus in the comedy/musical Mel Brook’s History of the World Part I (1981). Known for his accomplished choreography and tap dancing, many of Hines’ films showcase his dancing. He starred alongside veteran tap dancer Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1989 film Tap. Credited with 49 acting roles, Hines was a successful and versatile actor. Some of his most successful films are Running Scared (1986), Renaissance Man (1994), and Waiting to Exhale (1995). I would be remiss if I didn’t also list his cameo in the fan favorite, The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984).2
In 2002, Hines was diagnosed with liver cancer. He kept his diagnosis private, sharing his health struggle with only family and close friends. A year later, Hines succumbed to the illness en route to the hospital, from his home in Los Angeles.3Gregory Hines passed away on August 9, 2003, he was 57.
Hines is remembered by his two children, a son, and daughter, from two previous marriages. His memorial service took place on August 13, 2003, at Saint Monica’s Catholic Church in California. Based on the photographs I found online, it looks like it was an emotional service, with many Hollywood stars in attendance. Hines is laid to rest in Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario, beside his fiancé Negrita Maria Truszyk Jayde.
Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery, also known as West Oak Memorial Gardens, is owned and operated by St. Volodymyr Cathedral. It was founded in 1984, and sits on 100 acres of property that overlooks Sixteen Mile Creek. Today, it’s thought to be the largest Ukrainian cemetery in Canada.4
It was a beautiful sunny day when we visited Saint Volodymyr. Right away, we noticed how busy the cemetery was. Many people were visiting loved ones, cleaning gravesites, and paying their respects.
I knew before we arrived that the cemetery was a large one, so I had come prepared. I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to pay our respects and wouldn’t spend all our time searching. With coordinates in hand, we were able to drive directly to the grave of Gregory Hines.
I’m not sure if it was done on purpose, or if it is just because of the sheer size of the cemetery, but there was a perfect parking space just off the path. Just big enough for one vehicle, across from the famous grave.
The Hines-Jayde gravestone is a beautiful monument, made from black granite. At the top of the stone is a sandblasted engraving of Hines dancing, framed by what looks like curtains on either side of the stone. He is depicted with a look of joy and happiness on his face. It’s a lovely representation of what he is best known for, and what was such a large part of his life.
“Hines Jayde / Gregory Oliver / Hines / Feb. 14, 1946 / Aug. 9, 2003 / Together Forever / Negrita Maria / Hines Jayde / July 5, 1958 / Aug. 28, 2009 / So all sing in their festive dance. / “Within you is my true home” Psalms 87:7”
It was easy to tell that we were not the only ones who had made a trip to visit this gravesite. There were many grave goods left behind on the day we visited. These included stones, candles, and oil lamps. There was also a heel and toe plate placed at the base of the gravestone. These plates are mounted to the bottom of a shoe and used to tap dance.
After paying our respects we wandered the cemetery a little bit, exploring the meandering paths. It’s a beautiful cemetery with its trees creating some beautiful dappled light across the gravestones. I noticed that there were many black granite stones, in some sections that were even the same style.
I also noticed many oil lamps left at graves. It reminded me of the Jewish practice of leaving pebbles on top of gravestones. Some graves had only one of two oil lamps, while others had handfuls of them surrounding the stones. I can just imagine how beautiful they would look at night with all of the lamps lit up.
You might be asking yourself how an American-born actor came to be buried in a Canadian cemetery. I had the same question.
It looks like the reason is because of Hines’ fiancé Negrita Jayde, who is Canadian. A celebrity in her own right, Jayde was an athlete and an author. She was an award-winning professional bodybuilder from Toronto, Ontario, and wrote two books about the subject. She was also an actor, having starred in the action/sci-fi film Safety Zone in 1996.5
Although Hines and Jayde did not get the chance to get legally married before his death, Jayde did take Hines’ last name.6 When Jayde passed away six years, later in 2009 from cancer, she she was laid to rest beside him.
I’m very happy I was able to help one of my best friends pay her respects to one of her favorite actors. I’m also happy that I had the chance to pay my respects as well. Visiting famous graves is always an interesting experience because so often we feel so connected to them, even though we don’t know them on a personal level. TV and film actors, in particular, can feel like our best friends because of how invested we can get into their characters or their careers. So getting the chance to pay our respects at their gravestone can sometimes be a surreal experience.
Have you ever visited a famous grave? I would love to read about your experience in the comments.
Today’s gravestone recipe is another one I have seen floating around on the internet pretty frequently. Since the success of last month’s cookie recipe, I thought it might be time to try another one, this time with some baking involved.
I am pretty sure I have had a snickerdoodle before, but I don’t recall when. I asked my mother if she had ever made them before, and she said yes, quite often actually. So for today’s gravestone recipe, I try my hand at making Annabell’s Snickerdoodles.
This tombstone treat comes from the gravestone of Annabell R. Gunderson of Willits, California. Found in Willits Cemetery, this gravestone recipe takes up the entire backside of Gunderson’s grey granite gravestone.
Annabell Gunderson passed away at the age of 87, in 2007 after a battle against an unidentified illness.1 In life Gunderson was very active in her community, volunteering her time to multiple organizations. In particular with the St. Anthony’s Ladies Guild.1 Gunderson was known to especially love helping with the yearly enchilada feed—a fundraiser where trays upon trays of enchiladas are made and sold.1
She is lovingly remembered as a great cook and for her hugely popular snickerdoodles. A recipe that now lives on, etched in stone.
Annabell’s Snickerdoodles recipe on the back of Annabell Gunderson’s gravestone. Photo by Find a Grave contributor JDFH. Photo used with permission.
Here is the recipe as engraved on the tombstone:
Annabell’s Snickerdoodles
Mix thoroughly:
1 c shortening
1 c margarine
3 c sugar
4 eggs
Sift together and stir in:
5 1/2 c flour
4 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
Roll (softly) into balls the size of small walnuts.
Roll in mixture of 6T sugar and 6 tsp cinnamon.
Place 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375° for 8-10 min. or 400° for 6-8 min. until lightly brown, but still soft.
Secret is: Keep dough fluffy!
Making the Recipe
I spoke to my mom about making this recipe, and right away she was surprised at how much this recipe makes. She suggested I cut the recipe in half to make a smaller batch. Normally I do try to make the recipe as it is written, but I thought making half of this recipe would be more manageable for me in my small kitchen. After learning about Gunderson’s love of community and cooking, I think I understand why this recipe makes such a big batch.
So after getting out my ingredients and figuring out the new measurements on my kitchen blackboard, I got started on mixing up a batch of Annabell’s Snickerdoodles.
The recipe is very easy to follow, and is very well written. I did have to soften my margarine and shortening in the microwave a bit so it would combine nicely with the sugar and then the eggs. I made sure not to heat them too much though, as I didn’t want to cook the egg at all.
After that, I sifted in the dry ingredients till the mixture was well combined. I tried my best to not overwork the dough, keeping Annabell’s secret in mind.
Making Annabell’s Snickerdoodle gravestone recipe.
Now came the fun part!
I made sure to mix the sugar and cinnamon very well and put the mixture into a dinner plate so I had lots of surface to roll the dough around. To form the cookies, I pinched off small parts of dough, rolling them between my hands into a ball and then rolled them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Then I shaped them a little more with my hands before placing them on the ungreased cookie sheet.
Making Annabell’s Snickerdoodle gravestone recipe.
I did flour my hands now and then while rolling the dough to try and stop it from sticking to my hands. I tried my best to space the cookies out evenly between two cookie sheets. I didn’t realize that the cookies would spread, so if I made them again, I would space them out a little more between multiple cookie sheets instead of only using two sheets.
I then placed both cookie sheets in the oven to bake at 375° for 10 minutes. I did a bit of washing up while I waited for them to turn a golden brown.
Even though they did spread out a bit on the cookie sheet, it wasn’t terrible. After cooling on top of the stove for 10 minutes I was easily able to break them apart without ruining their shape too much.
Annabell’s Snickerdoodles, fresh out of the oven.
These cookies turned out amazing! I was a little bit daunted by the amount of work that had to go into these. But, it turned out to be not as intimidating as I thought, and the result are some of the best cookies I’ve ever tried—especially right out of the oven.
They are soft and buttery, sweet with a hint of cinnamon. I don’t think they will last too long in my house, as I couldn’t eat just one. I love how they turned out and will definitely be making these again!
Annabell’s Snickerdoodles
This recipe would be great for someone looking for the perfect cookie for a bake sale or cookie exchange. They would also be a fun cookie to make in the kitchen with kids, as I am sure they would love rolling the dough around into the sugar and cinnamon.
Have you tried this recipe before? Do you have a favorite snickerdoodle recipe? I would love to read about it in the comments!
Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle 