Hi everyone - out of lurkerdom to talk non-Joni talk about graveyards.
During the '60s when I was a kid living in Dexter, Maine, the graveyard
was the coolest place to go. Perched on a hilltop overlooking beautiful
rolling fields, it gave one a peaceful place to go where no one else was
around to bother you.
I was reminded of this last Friday when I went to another fabulous
Boston-area Victorian cemetery created for strolling - name of Forest
Hills. The occasion was the solstice, and the destination was chosen
because the director of Forest Hills Educational Trust had put together
a temporary art installation called "Spirits in the Trees." She is
looking to revive the Victorian custom of using cemeteries to display
contemporary art, and created this project as one of several she has
going on. Anyone in the greater Boston area should make it a priority
to take it in...it's amazing. The artists used the trees in magical
ways.
So count me among the Joni fans who sees beauty and finds a sense of
peace in graveyards.
best,
Maggie
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 10:57:21 EDT
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: graveyards - NJC
Jenny writes:
<< I think Marianne was wondering if enjoying the beauty of graveyards
was a
trait shared among many Joni fans, maybe even to a greater extent than
the
general
population. >>
Put me down for a big NO! on this question -- especially at night with
an ice
cream cone!
I know the Mt. Auburn Cemetary of which Anne speaks. (I was born in the
Mt.
Auburn Hospital, which is a stone's throw away.) The cemetary is a
beautiful
place, sort of an upscale graveyard, as graveyards go, with the remains
of
lots of well-known Boston and Cambridge people buried there among some
of the
most spectacular landscaping in the Northeast. It's also sort of a tree
museum because, like an arboretum, it has little cards on or near the
trees
that tell you each tree's Latin or horticultural name. But I wouldn't
want to
be in there at night after they lock the gates!
And as for Frederick Law Olmstead, one of my heroes . . . you are right,
Anne, about his involvement with NYC's Central Park, although I don't
think
he gets sole credit for its design. I think it was a collaboration of
some
sort, but I'm not sure. (One of the NYC Jonilistas will know.) I used to
love
going to Central Park when I lived in the city. I think it has a lot to
do
with keeping New Yorkers sane! One of Olmstead's greatest achievements,
in my
opinion, will always be Boston's 'Emerald Necklace' of parks and other
green
spaces.
Take care,
--Bob
Maggie McNally
Director of Special Events and Volunteer Services
FleetBoston Celebrity Series
20 Park Plaza, Suite 1032
Boston, MA 02116
Direct line phone: 617-598-3220
