Showing posts with label tombstones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tombstones. Show all posts

24 October 2015

Thinking about Halloween in small town middle Michigan, USA


A stone's throw from my front door is the main east-west road through the town of 7,000.
There on the corner is a house that stands out from the maybe 10-15% of homeowners who make an effort to create a display or express Halloween themes. Whereas some will erect inflatable nylon creatures with light and fan running internally, and others put window decoration or a lawn ornament that references death, creatures of the night, and fright - typically in colors of black (night) and orange (fall leaves, pumpkins and other colorful gourds), a few houses include lots of detail and wordplay (false tomb stones with pun-like names such are Herbie Lowe, a play on 'here below').
     Question: what is the appeal or aspiration being expressed in these tableaux for the passersby to view? There is no contest or competition in any formal sense. But for some perhaps the motivation is an annual activity for family participation that celebrates a curious day - knocking on the doors of neighbors and strangers with the expectation of being given free candy that is safe and desirable.

---3rd annual zombie fun run, "Run for Your Life" in city park to raise money for new Spray Park.
click image for full-size view

16 May 2013

Cemetery for Civil War Veterans (& spouses) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Graves continue up to the present day. The original design has expanded, according to the historical plaque at the east gate, adjacent to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, just south of River Park (on the Grand River) and west of I-196 and the Plainfield exit [photos as of May 15, 2013; playback time 1:56].
view this clip at 640x480 pixels at youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWomtYQ9ESA