"Ohio Cemeteries Receive Funds for Maintenance and Training" - October 20, 2022 - Announcement from the Ohio Department of Commerce."

On October 20, 2022, the Ohio Department of Commerce's Media Center published a news update naming the 2023 recipients of Ohio Cemetery Grant funds. 

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ohio Department of Commerce awards $104,000 to assist 44 nonprofit cemeteries"

"COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing awarded $104,000 in grants to 44 Ohio cemeteries through the Fiscal Year 2023 Cemetery Grant Fund.

The Division registers more than 4,100 cemeteries in the state and administers by the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission which assists in resolving complaints against registered cemeteries through mediation and conciliation."

“This is the fourth year the Division has awarded the grant for registered nonprofit cemeteries, which can be used for exceptional maintenance of their grounds or training of their personnel,” Division Superintendent Daphne Hawk said. “We are honored to provide funds to help Ohio’s cemeteries improve recordkeeping, restore monuments, repair fencing, and improve signage.”

"The grant is funded by $1 of every $2.50 from burial permit fees received by the Division. Cemeteries that applied and did not receive funding this year are encouraged to apply again next year."

"Grants were awarded this year to cemeteries in 32 Ohio counties. A full list of 2023 Cemetery Grant recipients is below.

For more information about how the Division works with Ohio cemeteries visit com.ohio.gov/real."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I have been advised that if the cemetery grant is for over $1,000, the cemetery owner would have to match the grant dollar for dollar.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Below are links to a sampling of news stories published regarding the 2023 recipients of the Ohio Cemetery Grants.:

WHIO TV in Dayton.
Lima Ohio.com.

 WKBN TV in Youngstown. 

 Sentinel-Tribune in Bowling Green.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Quoting from the Wilmington News-Journal - Clinton County, Ohio.:

"One of those grantees is in Clinton County. 

The Jefferson Township IOOF Cemetery, operated by the township, will receive $2,500 to repair and seal the driveway and to install street and section signs."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Casey Camp members were a part of WCH cemetery tour - Washington Cemetery - Washington Court House Ohio

Casey Camp members part of WCH cemetery tour

Cemetery tour set for this Saturday - October 15, 2022 - Washington Cemetery - Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio

Cemetery tour set for this Saturday

************

Sharing from the Record-Herald, Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio.:

Excerpt: 

"Guests can meet at the Fayette County Commission on Aging, located at 1179 S. Elm St.

Hayrides will depart from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that evening but while guests wait, they can enjoy drinks and snacks while learning a little bit about what the Commission’s function and responsibilities.

“There will also be a Civil War camp set up there that people can enjoy while waiting as well,” added McCane.

“The hayrides will depart from the Commission on Aging and head for Washington Cemetery. Once the guests arrive at the cemetery, there will be 17 stops,” explained McCane. “The individuals at the cemetery will tell a little bit about the person at each of those stops and will also be dressed up as the person being discussed.”

Attendees to the event will then have the chance to stretch their legs while touring the inside of the Judy Chapel.

McCane explained that there would be many members of the community participating in the tour.

“We will have members from the Fayette County Historical Society, students from Washington High School, Joe Denen, our city manager, as well as Vernon Stanforth, our county sheriff. We also have several people from Carnegie Library participating along with members from the Henry Casey Camp that will be dressed up in their military uniforms.”

Remembering Kathleen "Katie" Karrick - Cleveland's Cemetery Lady

 Sharing my Find A Grave memorial dedicated to Kathleen "Katie" Karrick, a well known cemetery historian and grave marker symbolism expert to many in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.  

Katie's work was also recognized well beyond those borders.  She was popularly known as "Cleveland's Cemetery Lady."  

Katie worked at Cleveland's historic Lake View Cemetery from April, 1992 - September, 2013 - 21+ years.  She was a researcher who provided informative presentations of the symbolic meaning of the Wade Memorial Chapel, which has an interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Katie developed and presented slide lectures for Lake View Cemetery Speaker’s Bureau.

She also contributed to the association's newsletter, “The Heritage.” 

In 1998, Katie started the "Stones & Bones" Tours at some of Cleveland's oldest cemeteries.  She extended her program with guided tours in cemeteries throughout Ohio.  

In 2000, Katie started the Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

On September 10, 2010 I attended a presentation hosted by the Bedford Historical Society where Katie was featured as a main speaker.  I took notes that evening.  I would like to share a few of them I took as she spoke.  

• • Katie began by explaining that the early settlers buried their dead near where they worshipped.  She stated how overcrowded graveyards had become a source for diseases and because of that over time people began to establish them outside of populated areas. 

    This type of location change was part of what became known as the rural cemetery movement.  She said by 1845 dozens of rural cemeteries were in various stages of development. 

     Photo examples were shown of round-topped upright tablet style markers that appeared to be abutting each other in groupings of two and three, however, they were actually single monuments.  The markers appeared to be of white marble.  Katie said these markers were for siblings. 

    Katie made us aware that the Victorians felt nature had a vital connection with cemeteries.  
  • Thus, many garden cemeteries and landscaped cemeteries coming on the scene incorporated such aspects as curving paths and roadways.  She said they wanted to have a ‘view of their own city’ so many cemeteries were built on hillsides or on land where the city could be seen from the burial ground areas.

    She cited how roses carved in a stone denoted it was for a female while acorns and leaves were carved on stones for males.  

  • Often the anchor was created on a stone to convey the message of hope.  

  • A broken column on the front of a monument told the story of a life that was cut short.  

  • Weeping willow tree carvings on stones became quite popular.  

  • Examples of these can be seen today at several older cemeteries in Ohio.  

  • Reclining lambs carved atop small stone and marble markers for young children and babies symbolize their innocence.

  • ***********

  • Other monument photos included in Katie’s presentation were examples of zinc markers and monuments also known as "white bronze".  Katie said these were sold as an inexpensive alternative to stone.  In reality, however, the zinc material held up better.  Many such monuments remain in excellent condition today and can be seen in several cemeteries throughout Ohio.  The monuments were constructed in panels that are removable. I must add that her photographs of these uniquely ornate and statuesque monuments became my favorites!  

  • From the audience’s interest and participation, it was evident that most left the cemetery workshop with an enriched knowledge of the meanings of several examples of funerary symbolism that will serve them in good stead on each cemetery visit. 

  • • ***********

    • Thank you Katie for being an inspiration to those of us who have followed you and your work! 

Sharing a link to the newly updated website for the Village of North Lewisburg, Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio

Sharing a link to the history page of the Village of North Lewisburg, in Champaign County, Ohio.  Under "Village Cemetery Directories.:

The Butcher Cemetery (Known Also as Walnut Grove Cemetery)  

The Friends (Quaker) Cemetery
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Here is a link to the main page on the newly updated North Lewisburg website.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Enjoy virtually exploring North Lewisburg, a quaint village tucked away in the northeast corner of Champaign County, Ohio.