By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 4:22 pm
There are 45 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Genesee and Orleans counties in the first update since Friday afternoon from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. That brings the total number of cases in the two counties to 7,169 since March 2020.
In Orleans County there are 11 new positive cases of Covid-19 since Friday for a total of 2,544 confirmed cases during the pandemic.
The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Four the new cases are inmates of the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison where 27 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.
Orleans is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized due to Covid.
In Genesee County there are 34 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,625 positive cases during the pandemic.
The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 90s.
One of the new positive individuals is a resident of the New York State Veteran’s Home in Batavia where there have now been 87 confirmed cases during the pandemic.
Genesee is reporting 20 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently 2 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
• Vaccine Update: As of March 30, anyone 30 years of age and older will be eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine along with the other priority groups. The state also announced that all residents age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine on April 6.
•Excelsior Pass: New York State has launched the Excelsior Pass, a voluntary, free, fast and secure way to present digital proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative test results.
It can be printed or stored digitally on a smartphone. Businesses and venues can scan and validate your pass to ensure you meet any Covid-19 vaccination or testing requirements for entry. Adults may hold passes for accompanying minors.
16 and older can begin to schedule appointments and get vaccinated on April 6
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new expansion of Covid-19 vaccine eligibility in New York.
Beginning Tuesday, March 30 at 8 a.m., all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Beginning April 6, universal eligibility goes into effect and all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Additionally, the Governor announced more than 2 million total Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered at New York State-run and FEMA-assisted mass vaccination sites. Statewide, more than 9 million total doses have been administered across all vaccination sites. That includes 171,419 doses that have been administered across the state’s vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.3 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. Delivery of the week 16 allocation begins mid-week.
“Today we take a monumental step forward in the fight to beat Covid,” Cuomo said. “As we continue to expand eligibility, New York will double down on making the vaccine accessible for every community to ensure equity, particularly for communities of color who are too often left behind. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there it is more important than ever for each and every New Yorker to wear a mask, socially distance and follow all safety guidelines.”
New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
The ‘Am I Eligible‘ screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:
Cuomo says pass should help reopen businesses, theaters, entertainment venues
Photo courtesy of Gov’s Office: This woman holds the Excelsior Pass with a scannable bar code that shows if a person had been vaccinated for Covid-19, or recently had a negative Covid test.
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of Excelsior Pass – a free, voluntary platform developed in partnership with IBM, which utilizes proven, secure technology to confirm an individual’s recent negative PCR or antigen test result or proof of vaccination to help fast-track the reopening of businesses and event venues in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidelines.
Similar to a mobile airline boarding pass, individuals will be able to either print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Each Pass will have a secure QR code, which participating businesses and venues can scan using a companion app to verify proof of Covid-19 negative test results or proof of vaccination. An individual’s data is kept secure and confidential at all times.
As part of this initial launch, participating New Yorkers may choose to use Excelsior Pass to verify their Covid-19 vaccination or negative test results as needed to gain entry to major stadiums and arenas, wedding receptions, or catered and other events above the social gathering limit.
Interested New Yorkers can opt in to use Excelsior Pass and learn more by clicking here; interested businesses can opt in and learn more by clicking here.
Major venues have already announced they will begin utilizing this technology in the coming weeks, including Madison Square Garden in New York City beginning next week and the Times Union Center in Albany. Beginning April 2, Excelsior Pass will expand to smaller arts, entertainment and event venues.
“New Yorkers have proven they can follow public health guidance to beat back Covid, and the innovative Excelsior Pass is another tool in our new toolbox to fight the virus while allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen safely and keeping personal information secure,” Governor Cuomo said. “The question of ‘public health or the economy” has always been a false choice — the answer must be both. As more New Yorkers get vaccinated each day and as key public health metrics continue to regularly reach their lowest rates in months, the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Pass heralds the next step in our thoughtful, science-based reopening.”
New York State is the first state in the U.S. to formally launch this potentially transformational technology. Prior to its launch, two successful pilot demonstrations were held in recent weeks, along with a beta test where thousands of New Yorkers participated in a limited roll out of the technology to provide feedback on user interface and results.
Interested New Yorkers can download the Excelsior Pass Wallet app for Android here and for iOS here. Interested businesses can download the Excelsior Pass Scanner app for Android here and for iOS here.
“IBM is proud to support the State of New York with its efforts to apply innovative technologies to help residents and communities respond to Covid-19,” said Steve LaFleche, General Manager, IBM Public and Federal Markets. “In choosing a flexible and accessible tool that places security and privacy at its core, the state is modeling for the rest of the country how new, technology-enabled approaches can help safely reinvigorate economies while also striving to protect public health.”
A special emphasis has been placed on the protection of an individual’s privacy. Secure technologies, like blockchain and encryption, are woven throughout Excelsior Pass to help protect the data, making it verifiable and trusted. No private health data is stored or tracked within the apps. Excelsior Pass can be used to voluntarily show a QR code as proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test result via a digital smartphone wallet or printed credential without sharing underlying personal health details.
“The Excelsior Pass initiative an important step towards stabilizing the State’s hospitality industry,” said Scott Wexler, executive director of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association. “It will provide our patrons with a tool to help keep them safe while returning to arts, cultural, sports, and the other social activities that make New York a great place to live, work, and play.”
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have Pfizer and Moderna vaccination clinics with appointments available for Genesee and Orleans County residents.
Whichever Covid-19 vaccine is available is the right vaccine to get now! All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives. We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic.
Vaccine is now available for people age 50 and older along with the existing priority groups (click here for more information). Pfizer is a 2-series dose, 21 days apart (3 weeks), and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. Moderna is a 2-series dose, 28 days apart (4 weeks), and is recommended for people aged 18 and older.
It is important to note that you must be able to return for the second dose 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna after the first dose at the location, you received your initial vaccination. You will be making that appointment after you are vaccinated. If you cannot make that date, please do not make an appointment for a 2-dose series until you can make both appointments.
Click here to visit the Genesee and Orleans vaccination web page. Choose either the Moderna Clinic or the Pfizer Clinic button to make your appointment. When you register, it will also show which vaccine will be at the clinic during that day.
In Genesee County, the clinics are held at the Athletic Center at GCC in Batavia and in Orleans County, the clinics are held at the Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina.
If you are interested in making an appointment to get your Covid-19 vaccination. Now is the time to do it locally!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 10:31 am
Event will fill some of void with no Strawberry Festival
ALBION – There may not be an Albion Strawberry Festival the second weekend in June, but there will be some community activities.
The Albion Merchants Association announced it will have a food truck rodeo from noon to 7 p.m. on June 12. Interested vendors can send an email to albionmerchantsassociation@gmail.com.
The Albion Village Board last week gave its approval for East State Street to be blocked off to traffic between Main Street and Platt Street for the event. The board said it supports the food truck rodeo as long as the public health guidelines for Covid are being followed.
The state has currently limited outdoor gatherings to no more than 200 people. That crowd size limit, and the uncertainty for the future, prompted organizers to cancel the typical Strawberry Festival for the second year in a row. The festival draws several thousand people for a parade, food court, live music and other activities. Holley also cancelled its June Fest which would have been June 5.
The Merchants Association would like to have live music in the Courthouse Square during the food truck rodeo.
The organizers of the Strawberry Festival 5K/8K also are planning that race for 8 a.m. on June 12, and may release the runners in smaller groups to spread them out on the course.
There will also be a craft fair with food and other activities on June 12 at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex. That event will be a fundraiser for COVA.
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.86, down two cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.02.
The New York State average is $2.91 – no change from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.34. (In Orleans County the current average price per gallon is at $2.904.)
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
Batavia – $2.84 (down one cent since last week)
Buffalo – $2.83 (no change since last week)
Rochester – $2.88 (down one cent since last week)
Syracuse – $2.86 (down one cent since last week)
Watertown – $2.95 (no change since last week)
Growing stock levels have helped to put downward pressure on pump prices, according to the latest weekly report from the Energy Information Administration. The national average decreased despite rising gas demand, which will likely continue through the Easter travel week.
Crude prices dropped last week due to continuing market concern that crude demand will drop as Europe increases restrictions to curb growing coronavirus infection rates and now hover at $60 to $64 per barrel. There are concerns, however, that the blocked Suez Canal will stall the supply chain for petrochemical products coming from the Middle East, leading to a possible spike in prices.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 9:43 am
Projects not allowed on sandstone and will include $100 application fee
Photos by Tom Rivers: Chuck Tingley in October is shown working on his “Fake It Til You Make It!” mural on the back of 410 Main St. He painted the back cinder block wall of a building in bright colors. The mural sends a message of the importance of self-confidence in relation to the pursuit of one’s dreams.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved the new ordinance for murals in the Downtown Historic District.
The new local law was passed on Feb. 22. It was amended last week because to include a $100 application fee for the efforts required from the village in reviewing the proposals. The law approved on Feb. 22 didn’t include an application fee.
The board discussed whether the fee should be $25 or $100, and decided on the higher amount.
“A lot of people will be putting a lot of time into approving these murals,” said Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
The village’s new local law was pushed for after three new murals went up last year in the historic district. Those projects received approval from the Village Planning Board.
That board worked on updating the regulations for the exterior murals in the historic district. The purpose of the law is to permit the murals “in a way that promotes original works of art while preserving the natural historic architectural features of buildings in the Downtown Historic District, fostering a positive community identity and appearance and attracting tourism to the village of Medina,” the local law states.
Some highlights of the law:
• Definition of a mural – A mural is a visual depiction and/or works of art including mosaic, painting, fresco, or graphic art technique applied, painted or placed directly onto the exterior of any wall of a building or structure. Such depictions shall not contain words, logos, emblems, trademarks or other similar devices which identify or advertise any product, service or business.
• Design standards – The murals shall be an original work of art. They need to be designed and constructed under the supervision of a qualified artist/muralist or other qualified professional who has sufficient knowledge in the design and execution of such projects. The murals need to be securely attached to the building or structure to which it is applied.
The murals shall not be on any sandstone or any other type of natural stone, and they shall not obscure or detract from the significant architectural features or have an adverse effect on adjacent properties or facing properties.
Other design prohibitions include no logos, emblems or trademarked symbols. The murals shall not incorporate recognized signs of hatred or discrimination against any race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, religion, ancestry, marital status, familial status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. The projects also can’t have electrical or mechanical components, or changing images.
• Schedule – the murals should be completed within six months of the final design application approval. In the event that a mural is not completed within the six month time frame, it is at the discretion of the code enforcement officer to either grant an extension or cancel the existing permit.
• Maintenance – Routine Maintenance of an artwork becomes the responsibility of the building owner where the artwork is located. As part of the contractual requirements, the artist shall develop a maintenance program in cooperation with the building owner or manager for the proper long term care of the artwork. If the mural falls into disrepair, the building owner will be notified in writing and required to make necessary repairs within 30 days.
• Application process – A signed permission form is required from the building owner, and color pictures or renderings of the proposed mural must be submitted in the application.
• Decommissioning – When a mural is at the end of its life span, or if mural is to be removed without a replacement mural, the surface of the building or structure must be restored and repainted with appropriate colors to the Historic Preservation District, which must be approved in advance by the Village of Medina Planning Board upon such approval a Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued after which time work may begin.
Chris Piontkowski of Cheektowaga works on this mural of flowers in November on a cinder block building on Proctor Place, a one-lane road that starts near Rudy’s Diner.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 8:56 am
Below normal precipitation the first half of March has much of upstate New York, including Orleans County, “abnormally dry.”
The U.S. Drought Monitor has a large swath of the northeast as abnormally dry. At that condition, crop growth is stunted, fire danger is elevated, lawns brown early and surface waters decline. (New York has an outdoor burn ban in effect through May 16.)
The Drought monitor is produced through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows areas in yellow that are “abnormally dry” and the light brown/tan areas as in “moderate drought.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 8:02 am
There will be some big temperature swings in Orleans County this week.
Today will be mostly cloudy and will reach a high of 44, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 70. Then the high drops to 55 on Wednesday with snow and rain likely after 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The overnight low that night will be 29.
On Thursday there will be occasional snow before noon, and snow showers likely after noon. The high is forecast for 35.
Friday will be sunny with a high near 39, followed by a high near 52 on Saturday.
By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Society and Museum Director
GAINES – The Historic Hamlet of Childs is home to the National Historic Landmark Cobblestone District with three cobblestone structures that comprise a portion of the buildings owned by the Cobblestone Society & Museum.
In addition, two other cobblestone buildings serve as private residences for their current owners. Those two buildings are the subject of this article.
This image depicts what the larger of the two homes looked like in the late 1800s. It was originally a two-story Greek Revival farmhouse with a one-story wing. William Cook, the minister at the Universalist Church, bought this home in 1850. He chose not to live in the church’s two bedroom cobblestone parsonage, because he had 12 family members under his care. Note the entablature, the wooden trim just under the eave of the second story.
Historic market in front of the larger cobblestone home now owned by local historian Dee Robinson.
The Robinson’s home has undergone a number of additions that have given the home a truly unique appearance today. It was substantially altered in appearance at the turn of the 20th century when a wooden second floor was added to the east portion, along with a full attic with a central bay window. Most distinctive of these alterations is that the gable was rotated 90 degrees.
The Greek Revival entablature was removed and replaced with clapboard. This gives us a peak at construction details normally hidden. Near the top of the cobblestones of the west wall, we can see the wooden blocks that were originally inserted in the stonework to allow the bottom of the entablature to be nailed. It also indicates that cobblestones were not laid behind the original entablature.
Here we can clearly see the large sandstone quoins that form the corners of the structure. Cut stone quoins were used to give cobblestone buildings watertight corners. Also shown here is the difference in the size and pattern of stones used at the front and sides of the building. The highly visible front has six rows of small water-washed cobblestones per sandstone quoin and the sides were constructed more hastily with large glaciated fieldstones, three rows to the quoin.
The smaller of the two “extra” cobblestone structures in the Cobblestone District was built by John Simmons on land purchased from community founding father, John Proctor. We know of another cobblestone building constructed by Simmons: Carlton’s Baldwin Corners District #6 schoolhouse.
Cobblestone mason John Simmons also built a brick blacksmith shop on the site of the wooden blacksmith shop on the corner of Routes 98 and 104. The original blacksmith shop burned and Joseph Vagg rebuilt the current structure at that site, now owned by the Cobblestone Museum.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2021 at 2:50 pm
Orleans County passes 20% with at least one dose
Photo by Tom Rivers: People stop by a vaccine clinic at GCC in Batavia on March 7 that was intended for residents of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, but those three counties only received 25 percent of the doses when the clinic didn’t have residency restrictions. Erie County residents claimed about half of the doses.
Orleans County is increasing the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19, but the county still has the lowest vaccination rate in the state.
Orleans in recent days passed 20 percent of the population with at least one vaccination dose for Covid-19. On Tuesday, the county was at 19.4 percent. A week before that on March 16, Orleans was at 16.6 percent of residents with at least one dose.
The state’s Vaccine Tracker today puts the county at 21.3 percent with at least one dose. That is just behind the Bronx at 21.4 percent and Kings (Brooklyn) at 22.0 percent for the lowest vaccination rates in the state.
New York currently has a state-wide vaccination rate of 29.2 percent, while the average in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region is 31.5 percent.
Orleans expects to quicken the pace in the coming days with extra allocations to be administered at vaccination clinics at GCC in Batavia on Monday, Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina on Tuesday, and Orleans Community Health – Medina Memorial Hospital on Tuesday and Thursday.
The county currently is well behind nearby counties which have the following vaccination rates: Genesee, 26.7%; Wyoming, 25.4%; Niagara, 27.3%; Erie, 31.1%; Monroe, 32.9%; and Livingston, 27.7%.
Orleans and Wyoming counties both have nearly the same populations at about 40,000. Wyoming is ahead of Orleans with vaccinations, 25.4% percent with at least one dose, compared to 21.3% in Orleans, or about 1,500 more people vaccinated – 10,175 with one dose in Wyoming compared to 8,668 in Orleans.
There are 16 counties in the state with populations less than 50,000. Many are significantly ahead of Orleans in the vaccination rate.
Montgomery County, 49,302 population, 30.3% vaccinated with at least one dose
Tioga County, 48,686 population, 22.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
Chenango County, 47,909 population, 27.4% vaccinated with at least one dose
Cortland County, 47,865 population, 29.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
Greene County, 47,424 population, 28.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
Allegany County, 46,688 population, 23.6% vaccinated with at least one dose
Delaware County, 44,995 population, 25.0% vaccinated with at least one dose
Orleans County, 40,904 population, 21.3% vaccinated with at least one dose
Wyoming County, 40,305 population, 25.4% vaccinated with at least one dose
Essex County, 37,459 population, 39.6% vaccinated with at least one dose
Seneca County, 34,390 population, 27.1% vaccinated with at least one dose
Schoharie County, 31,222 population, 26.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
Lewis County, 26,572 population, 26.9% vaccinated with at least one dose
Yates County, 25,011 population, 31.2% vaccinated with at least one dose
Schuyler County, 17,920 population, 30.5% vaccinated with at least one dose
Hamilton County, 4,515 population, 57.3% vaccinated with at least one dose
(Data from NYS Vaccine Tracker and U.S. Census Bureau 2019 population estimates.)
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 March 2021 at 10:09 am
Padoleski to retire on June 30 after 41 years in village clerk’s office
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Padoleski sits at her desk at the Medina village offices after announcing her retirement as town clerk. She has worked for the village for 41 years.
MEDINA – After 41 years of working for the village of Medina, village clerk Debbie Padoleski has decided to retire.
Her letter of resignation was read at the village board meeting March 22, with her retirement date on June 30. Mayor Mike Sidari said her resignation was accepted with “extreme regret.”
“She leaves very big shoes to fill,” he said. “We have a better village because of Debbie.”
Padoleski, a daughter of Don and Jean Sipple of Medina, is a 1979 graduate of Medina High School. She said she had originally wanted to be a teacher, but had a rebellious stage right out of high school.
“I decided I didn’t want to go to college, I wanted to go to work,” she said.
She got a job working in the deli at Super Duper. She had been there two and one-half years when, after taking a Civil Service test, she got a call to come in for an interview as clerk-typist for the village of Medina.
“That was 1980 and I think my starting salary was $3.35 an hour,” Padoleski said.
Peggy Crowley was clerk then, and Padoleski shared a desk with the payroll clerk. In mid-1980, Gloria Maryjanowski retired as deputy clerk, and Padoleski took over from her. When Crowley retired in 2013, Padoleski became village clerk.
“The relationships I’ve formed with the people here are going to make it the hardest not to come to work every day,” Padoleski said. “But 41 years is a long time and I want to retire while I’m still young enough to enjoy life. I’ll be 60 in May and Covid makes you think of your mortality.”
She said she was never one to count down the days to her retirement like many people do.
“I love coming to work every day,” she said. “I love my job and I love the people.”
Padoleski said she and her husband Tom, a self-employed contractor, like to travel, but probably not in the coming year, due to Covid.
They have relations in North Carolina and Georgia and a cottage at the lake, where she said they will spend a lot of time.
Padoleski will be succeeded by Jada Burgess of Medina, who has worked for the village for 13 years. She called Padoleski a great mentor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2021 at 9:56 am
Runners released in waves every 10 minutes at Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Emily Douglas of Oakfield, left, and Nicole Zinkievich of Medina cross the finish line at Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K on Saturday in Albion. The race ended in the parking lot at the elementary school.
The event was first 5K of 2021 in Orleans County with nearly 100 completing the distance. That included 69 on the course in person with another 11 who did the 3.17 miles virtually. More are expected to do the race virtually.
Most of the course went along Route 31 from the elementary school to Mount Albion Cemetery and back.
The race was cancelled a year ago during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s race included precautions against Covid. There was no large gathering at the start or finish of the event.
The runners were also released in smaller groups of no more than 25 every 10 minutes, with groups starting at 1 p.m., 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30. People also had the option of doing the distance virtually at a different time and location.
Edna Hyer of Orchard Park is close to the finish line. She won the 80 and over age group for women.
Arian Cayea of Medina was second overall in a time of 18:02.
Michael Dee of Syracuse won the race in a time of 16:47 for the men. The fastest woman was Mary Bostwick of Cheektowaga in 25:36.
The race was organized by Wolfpack Multisport. That group is planning for the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K/8K in Albion on June 12. The main festival has been cancelled but there will be other events that day, including the 5K/8K.
The Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K started in 2015 to honor the memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who died at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014. The “Run for Wayne” highlights the second leading cancer death among men, but is often treatable if detected in the early stages.
The race is slighter longer than a typical 5K at 3.17 miles. Burlison lived 3 months and 17 days after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Burlison was active in several musical groups in the community and also helped start the Albion Running Club. He lost more than 150 pounds through better nutrition and exercise and completed a marathon and half-marathons.
Being that I have spent a considerable amount of time in cemeteries the past couple decades doing florist work, I tend to pay special attention when traveling to different customs. In New York, gravesites tend to be below the ground with markers, some flat and some upright with unique and fancy engraving.
Very different view when traveling to New Orleans several years back at Lafayette Cemetery. All the graves were above the ground, which I found a bit eerie because I am not used to seeing casket-sized concrete structures above the ground. They place them above the ground because the terrain is very wet. The above-ground tomb allows for remains to be safe from ground moisture. These tombs are like artwork and many people visit them to see the intricate detail put into these concrete casts. Each one has a hint of a story behind them of a life once lived.
Traveling out West you will see tiny little places of rest dedicated to families. Within the little wrought iron gates there are only a few little stones. These sites are very intimate and personal because they hold memories and spirits of a family rather than an entire community. A true treasure for those with these on Their land.
In Aruba you can see cemeteries of colorful headstones each adorned with crosses atop and laden with rosaries and colorful blossoms. Their faith is very expressive and beautiful. While in Captiva Island, Florida I traveled some back roads and found gravestones surrounded by both tiny and large ornate shells left behind by visitors. Very appropriate that shells were chosen amongst the sandy soil for those whose lives were grounded at the shore. No matter where you are it is so interesting to see the little mementos and gifts that people leave at gravesites. Many leave flowers and some say a prayer and leave a stone behind to show respect.
I have seen photos of treasured memories, spiritual items, stuffed animals, flags, food, beverages and much more. I love our own cemetery in Mt. Albion for it’s rolling hills, large protective trees and the flowers that blossom from them. Providing both shade and beauty for those that rest there and those that bring life there. It’s highest point, reaching high into the Heavens, you can see all the places from which those who rest below came from. Very profound and appropriate.
When I am done with my earthly body and rewarded with a new one in Heaven, I pray my ashes will be put in a little bean pod with a George Strait cassette, a bottle of good bourbon, pictures of my family and friends, and my lipstick. All placed under a beautiful flowering tree trimmed out with gemstones and rocks. Because you see, your final resting place, while at first is a place to mourn, will become a place to hold all the Positive Vibes that your life gifted this world. What do you want your eternal celebrations and memorial to look like?
To see Arubu’s Tributes, Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.
