History in bloom

Sunday
A full day today. After the morning at church as usual, we had a quick bite to eat at home, then headed down to Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, where they had a special event going on, "History in bloom". They had carriage rides or tram rides taking you past some of the wonderful trees and blossoms and some of the more notable monuments, where they had people dressed in period costume acting as the notable person buried there. They also had walking tours, and we did one of those, on the history and heritage. We were also able to see the interior of the Norman Chapel, which is normally kept locked, except for special events. The Romanesque-Norman designed chapel was designed by famous Cincinnatian architect in 1879. The structure is built of rough hewn limestone and Bedford Indiana limestone. It has a beautiful stained glass window, designed by Cincinnatian Thomas S. Noble, depicting the Ascension of Christ and Jesus healing the paralytic. Mr. Noble was head of the Cincinnati Art School and director of the Art Museum. One interesting and little-known fact is that there is a jail cell in the basement! During the late 1800's, persons caught driving too fast through the cemetery were arrested and kept overnight in this subterranean holding cell. When automobiles were first permitted into the cemetery in the 1930's, again, fast drivers were arrested and confined overnight! The jail cell is now used for storage. It was a grey, cold afternoon, and once we had finished our walking tour, we decided to go to a coffee house and have a coffee to warm ourselves up, before going to an organ recital at Hyde Park United Methodist church. They have a wonderful organ, built by Cassavant of Quebec, Canada, and they have an organ recital series each year. The organist today was Douglas Cleveland who was raised in Olympia Washington. He has served on the faculties of St. Olaf College and Northwestern University, and currently serves on the organ faculty at the University of Washington School of Music. One of the nice features is that the organ console, instead of being hidden away as is often the case, is right in front of the congregation/audience, and so you have a clear view of his playing, including all his footwork. It was a wonderfully varied program and a great recital.