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Join The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery podcast for a milestone episode - our 200th!

For this special episode Dianne and Jennie welcome back returning guest Kristen Allen of Bloombridge, the cemetery flower delivery service, to share exciting updates on the organization's remarkable growth since its inception in 2021. Discover how Bloombridge has formed connections across the US, weaving powerful stories of the departed that transform the lives of the living. Stay tuned for a very special, Ordinary Extraordinary story about a flower delivery to Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau's tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1 in the mystical city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

We wish to thank all our Ordinary Extraordinary listeners for tuning in each week, for sharing your stories, your feedback and your episode suggestions. We wouldn't have made it this far without you!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RXoRXS5HFks?si=1cgcWcgDCGUDeIba

To become a Bloombridge customer or runner, visit https://bloom-bridge.com/
Discount code: cstn

Tickets for the 4th annual Beyond the Grave: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-grave-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-tickets-986081605627

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Jennie and Dianne are excited to share Part 2 of our discussion with author Joy Giguere on "Pleasure Grounds of Death: The Rural Cemetery in Nineteenth-century America".
They explore how the rural cemetery movement transformed the funeral industry, especially following the civil war. The rise of funeral homes to handle the duties surrounding the deceased, hospitals as a place for the dying, and how cemeteries took on more management of their grounds providing stricter guidelines for monuments and plot decorations and how all of this impacted our modern relationship with death and grief.

Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/vjWF5MPDUlU?si=G4_DXkM3B3-JsiIp

Visit any of these links to purchase your copy of "Pleasure Grounds of Death:The Rural Cemetery in Nineteenth-century America":

University of Michigan Press
https://press.umich.edu/Books/P/Pleasure-Grounds-of-Death3

Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pleasure-grounds-of-death-joy-m-giguere/1144258523?ean=9780472056897

Amazon
https://a.co/d/8BVMJdN

Tickets for the 4th annual Beyond the Grave: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-grave-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-tickets-986081605627

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This week on The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne welcome Joy Giguere back to discuss her new book "Pleasure Grounds of Death: The Rural Cemetery in Nineteenth-century America". They chat about the rise of rural cemeteries in the United States, including Mount Auburn Cemetery's pioneering design to the nationwide movement it inspired. Tune in for part one of a conversation about the intersections of death, culture, and society, and how these Ordinary Extraordinary 19th-century burial grounds continue to reflect America's past and present.

Watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/nM6FWBgDIrY?si=p64orIt5H3oS-982

Visit any of these links to purchase your copy of "Pleasure Grounds of Death:The Rural Cemetery in Nineteenth-century America":

University of Michigan Press
https://press.umich.edu/Books/P/Pleasure-Grounds-of-Death3

Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pleasure-grounds-of-death-joy-m-giguere/1144258523?ean=9780472056897

Amazon
https://a.co/d/8BVMJdN

Tickets for the 4th annual Beyond the Grave: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-grave-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-tickets-986081605627

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Saddle up, partners as Jennie and Dianne 'shoot' the breeze with Josh Taylor of the Wild West Extravaganza Podcast (and YouTube channel) while they pay their respects at the graveside of infamous outlaw Billy the Kid and his Ordinary Extraordinary life and legacy that ended before it had barely begun.

Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DcdxHH7S8cc?si=unnJIo-w_DCJJKxm

Ticket link to the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl at Central City's IOOF Cemetery: Gilpin Historical Society 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-35th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-934551547837?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android

Tickets for the 4th annual Beyond the Grave: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-grave-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-tickets-986081605627

For more "true tales from the wild and woolly west", check out the Wild West Extravaganza podcast: https://www.wildwestextra.com/

Photo Credits:
*Portrait of Billy the Kid - Public Domain
*'Billy the Kid' Tombstone - Public Domain
*'Pals' Tombstone - www.fortsumner.net
*Ft. Sumner Cemetery Gate - M.Robinson

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In part 1 of "The Great Eiffel Tower Swindle" Jennie and Dianne share the humble beginnings of a man who became known as one of the world's greatest swindlers, Victor "The Count" Lustig; and left listeners hanging after recounting his notorious first sale of the Eiffel Tower in 1925. In part 2 the ladies follow Lustig's escape from authorities in Paris and his return to the US to continue his life of crime and cons, only to be brought down by one of his greatest weaknesses...an Ordinary Extraordinary woman!

Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mFb3MLHqqXU?si=buZwcgG6kJtYpNGl

Ticket link to the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl at Central City's IOOF Cemetery: Gilpin Historical Society 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-35th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-934551547837?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android

Tickets for the 4th annual Beyond the Grave: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-the-grave-mary-shelleys-frankenstein-tickets-986081605627

Photo of Lustig grave by: Rick Gleason and posted to: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176656691/victor-lustig#view-photo=152334006

Resources used to research this episode include: Various news articles found on www.newspapers.com & documents from www.ancestry.com

Laidlaw, Katherine. "The con man who sold the Eiffel Tower — twice ." https://thehustle.co/. 15 Mar. 2024. thehustle.co/originals/the-con-man-who-sold-the-eiffel-tower-twice-1. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

King, Gilbert. "The Smoothest Con Man That Ever Lived ." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/. 22 Aug. 2012. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-smoothest-con-man-that-ever-lived-29861908/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Linning, Stephanie . "The man who conned the world ." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/. 12 Aug. 2021. www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9880185/The-man-conned-world-Audacious-scams-career-criminal-Victor-Lustig-told-new-book.html. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Malvenuti, Edorardo. "Victor Lustig, the Bohemian Scarlet Pimpernel." https://www.progetto.cz/. 27 Oct. 2020. www.progetto.cz/victor-lustig-la-primula-rossa-boema/?lang=en#:~:text=A%20savoir%20faire%20blending%20with,end%20Victor%20Lustig's%20maritime%20adventure. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Sanford, Christopher . The Man Who Conned the World Victor Lustig. 1st ed., 2022. Gloucestershire, The History Press, 2022, pp. 1 - 320.

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As the world's eyes are on Paris for the Olympics, we're looking back at a different kind of champion - the con artist who sold the Eiffel Tower not once, but twice! We're shining a light on the Ordinary Extraordinary story of Victor Lustig who sold the unsellable and swindled the unsuspecting. Join Dianne and Jennie for part one of a tale of deception and daring that's as thrilling as any Olympic event!

Available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jRlO4DAjtKs?si=NjFD9WP4X6cN9IqS

Ticket link to the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl at Central City's IOOF Cemetery: Gilpin Historical Society 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-35th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-934551547837?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android

Photo of Lustig grave by: Rick Gleason and posted to: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176656691/victor-lustig#view-photo=152334006

Resources used to research this episode include: Various news articles found on www.newspapers.com & documents from www.ancestry.com

Laidlaw, Katherine. "The con man who sold the Eiffel Tower — twice ." https://thehustle.co/. 15 Mar. 2024. thehustle.co/originals/the-con-man-who-sold-the-eiffel-tower-twice-1. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

King, Gilbert. "The Smoothest Con Man That Ever Lived ." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/. 22 Aug. 2012. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-smoothest-con-man-that-ever-lived-29861908/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Linning, Stephanie . "The man who conned the world ." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/. 12 Aug. 2021. www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9880185/The-man-conned-world-Audacious-scams-career-criminal-Victor-Lustig-told-new-book.html. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Malvenuti, Edorardo. "Victor Lustig, the Bohemian Scarlet Pimpernel." https://www.progetto.cz/. 27 Oct. 2020. www.progetto.cz/victor-lustig-la-primula-rossa-boema/?lang=en#:~:text=A%20savoir%20faire%20blending%20with,end%20Victor%20Lustig's%20maritime%20adventure. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

Sanford, Christopher . The Man Who Conned the World Victor Lustig. 1st ed., 2022. Gloucestershire, The History Press, 2022, pp. 1 - 320.

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On this episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne pay a virtual visit to the graveside of a man who truly made a "splash" not only in America, but around the world. Join them as they relate
the fascinating story of John Michael Kohler, the man credited as the inventor of the modern bathtub. From his humble beginnings as a young farm child in Austria to his journey as an immigrant in America, Kohler's life was a true rags-to-riches tale. Join us as we explore his rise to success in building the Kohler business in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, his charitable works, and his involvement with the Masons and Odd Fellows. Plus, discover how he made a splash in local politics as the mayor of Sheboygan in 1892! It's an ordinary life turned extraordinary!

Learn more about the Kohler company here:
https://www.kohlercompany.com/

Learn about the John Michael Kohler Arts Center here: https://www.jmkac.org/

Photo Credits:
John Michael Kohler: Public Domain

Photo of portrait of
Elizabeth "Lillie" Vollrath Kohler: Debra Shadd

Photo of Kohler house: Debra Shadd

Photos of Kohler Family Graves: Joe Selinski

Resources used to research this episode include:

Publishing , Excelsior . "John M. Kohler." https://freepages.rootsweb.com/. freepages.rootsweb.com/~sheboygan/genealogy/bios623.htm. Accessed 21 July 2024.

, Herostratus. "John Michael Kohler." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/. edited by Theanonymoustypist, 23 Jan. 2024. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Michael_Kohler. Accessed 21 July 2024.

, Kohler. "Our History ." https://www.kohler.com/. www.kohler.com/en/about-us/our-heritage. Accessed 21 July 2024.

Historical Collections , Harvard Business School . "1873: Off the Rails." https://www.library.hbs.edu/. www.library.hbs.edu/hc/crises/1873.html. Accessed 21 July 2024.

"History of enamelware - kitchen & household ." http://www.oldandinteresting.com/. 5 Mar. 2012. www.oldandinteresting.com/enamelware-history.aspx. Accessed 21 July 2024.

Dipple, Beth. "History Uncovered: Location, location, location – Kohler and Vollrath companies' first homes ." https://www.sheboygansun.com/. 29 Dec. 2021. www.sheboygansun.com/history/history-uncovered-location-location-location-kohler-and-vollrath-companies-first-homes/article_9ffd3928-68c8-11ec-864f-1b7c2d61bad2.html. Accessed 21 July 2024.

Selinski, Joe. "John Michael Kohler." https://www.findagrave.com/. edited by Linda Belmonte, 21 May 2006. www.findagrave.com/memorial/14351528/john_michael_kohler. Accessed 21 July 2024.

Made In Wisconsin. 1987, pp. 17 - 23.

Broman, Thomas. "The Early History of the Kohler Company ." https://wi101.wisc.edu/. 2 Nov. 2020. wi101.wisc.edu/the-early-history-of-the-kohler-company/. Accessed 21 July 2024.

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This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast Jennie and Dianne review their recent "gravestone preservation workshop" after attending the "48 State Tour" hosted by Atlas Preservation at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They share what they learned and what was accomplished while working alongside others whose enthusiasm for cemetery preservation is infectious! They also announce some details about this year's Beyond the Grave fundraising event this coming October as well as the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl at Central City's IOOF Cemetery on August 24th where Jennie is excited to once again be a historical reenactor.

Now on Yo Tube: https://youtu.be/gXohAt9OPv8?si=MHbGh5wGMwDF4EO_

Ticket link to the 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl at Central City's IOOF Cemetery: Gilpin Historical Society 35th Annual Cemetery Crawl: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-35th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-934551547837?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android

To learn more about Atlas Preservation's "48 State Tour", click here: https://atlaspreservation.com/

To learn more about Epoch Preservation, click here: https://epochpreservation.com/

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ncptt/index.htm