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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>OK, thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting via Cinci-nfb<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 20, 2016 11:37 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting<br><b>Subject:</b> [Cinci-nfb] {Spam?} RE: {Spam?} RE: Cincinnati NFB Chapter Spring Grove Tour Article<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Annie. I did, and I will. The article is posted to the Facebook Page. That was a wonderful article.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Chris<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Cinci-nfb [<a href="mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Annie McEachirn via Cinci-nfb<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 20, 2016 9:55 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> Annie McEachirn<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Cinci-nfb] {Spam?} RE: Cincinnati NFB Chapter Spring Grove Tour Article<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Chris,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thank you. We did miss you, but we understood your prior commitment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I enjoyed sitting at the same table with you at the picnic. Have a great day and do something special for yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Smile,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Annie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Cinci-nfb [<a href="mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting via Cinci-nfb<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 20, 2016 9:29 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting<br><b>Subject:</b> [Cinci-nfb] {Spam?} RE: Cincinnati NFB Chapter Spring Grove Tour Article<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Annie. That was a very beautifully written article—as always. I will post this to our Facebook page.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I’m sorry I couldn’t make it due to the Autism Expo being that same day, but the article was very enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Very Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Chris<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Cinci-nfb [<a href="mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Annie McEachirn via Cinci-nfb<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 19, 2016 7:27 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> Annie McEachirn<br><b>Subject:</b> [Cinci-nfb] Cincinnati NFB Chapter Spring Grove Tour Article<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Spring Grove: A Measure of Rest, Hope and Peace</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>By Annie M. Carson</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>When I joined the Cincinnati chapter of The National Federation of the Blind, one of my first tasks was to organize a tour to a cemetery (or so I thought). A solemn visit to view some headstones, a few blades of grass, and shade trees was not the kind of event I could be excited about. In the past, my experience had been limited to small churchyard cemeteries crowded with simple plots in which flowers were placed on gravesites once or twice a year.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Due to the encouragement and persuasion of a couple of chapter members enthusiastically touting the uniqueness and relevance of the tour, my curiosity was peaked. Consequently, I was convinced to take the tour.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>***</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>When we met inside the customer service area on that May 7<sup>th</sup> afternoon, there was an overcast of clouds and small drops of rain were beginning to fall. We were skeptical about taking an outdoor tour but the majority ruled saying we could risk it. Nine Cincinnati NFB chapter members, a dog guide, and four guests boarded the Spring Grove Cemetery tram with Robert and Marcha who gave us an oral history, guided tour and tactile exploration of this extraordinary facility. Although the excursion provided for a fascinating and pleasurable afternoon, little did we realize what an all-encompassing experience we would have as we listened to the history of the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The tour narrative began with the story of the death of Peter Neff’s wife and the fact that he did not want her to be buried in a crowded churchyard cemetery. Consequently he, a board member of the rural horticultural society, and some of his business friends decided they wanted a “rural cemetery” like that of Boston and Philadelphia. Therefore, after an extensive search for just the right location, the current site as it exists today was selected.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>In 1845 Spring Grove Cemetery was dedicated. Immediately after it formally opened, burials from downtown cemeteries were reinterred to Spring Grove Cemetery. In 1854 Adolf Strauch, a landscape gardener, was given full authority at Spring Grove. He became the 3<sup>rd</sup> Landscape Architect/Superintendent from 1860 – 1883 and is responsible for the park like setting it is today. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>As I listened to the purpose and design of this cemetery, all I could think was that it offers a serene atmosphere where nature and art intermingle to their mutual pinnacle. What an opportunity for families and loved ones to visit relatives and friends in their unique burial spots, see the beautiful scenery, visit to meditate or contemplate their hearts desires, or simply say good-bye to a loved, deceased individual.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I ask you to come along with me as I share what I learned that day. I had the opportunity to see through touch exploration and to interpret through oral explanation, mounds, a small lake surrounded by Cypress trees and their “knees”, a variety of other trees, downward torches, an Emery angel statue, and six dignitaries’ family burial monuments with exquisite artwork and designs. Due to a plethora of art details, imagery representation and numerous trees and beautiful flowers at Spring Grove, only the mounds, Garrard Family mausoleum, William Redman’s burial plot, and the Emery angel statue will be highlighted.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Imagine a huge park (open lawn) described as a cemetery with iconography including an arboretum. If you have a puzzled look on your face by now and are wondering what in the world is that, so did I. Consequently, I looked up iconography and arboretum. As defined by the Oxford Dictionary (American English), iconography is “the use of images and symbols to represent ideas, or the particular images or symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.” On the other hand, arboretum, according to <a href="http://dictionary.com/">dictionary.com</a>, is “a plot of land on which many different trees or shrubs are grown for study or display.” OK, I thought, how do I picture a cemetery with the setting of a park with images, symbols, trees and shrubs? </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The first stop carried us to the Civil War section. Spring Grove offered this special area to honor the Civil War dead who were brought to Cincinnati hospitals after being wounded but had died as a result of having no antibiotics during this time. There were three mounds, each housing 333 soldiers. In the midst of each mound stood a 12 to 15 foot cannon with its barrel reflecting the grand republican army. This cannon represents an obelisk. For ancient Egyptians, the obelisk represented blessings. Ultimately, obelisk were placed by city gates; the idea was to give anyone a blessing that passed through their city gates. In the Victorian era, they were used as funeral markers. Also, Egyptian kings used them to represent their strength and power.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>From there, we visited a beautiful mausoleum (could be thought of as a locked mansion) which housed the Gerrard family’s 4 Carrere Marble female statues with each one standing in a corner representing the four seasons of the year. A beautiful base of flowers is featured in the center of the mausoleum.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>There was a burial spot of a young boy named William Redman, which included a statue of a dog, about the size of a Labrador, on the ground with a small portion of chain emphasizing that the dog was unchained. The dog is sitting, waiting, and guarding the area of this young boy. My 18-month-old grandson was obviously intrigued as he literally hugged the statue of the dog. The story is that the dog had always watched for William so the Redman’s placed the statue of the dog as a marker. In addition, his parents had an open book as a second marker on his burial spot, which I believe represented the Bible. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The statue that moved me to an emotional high was the Emery Angel. The Emery family moved the angel to Spring Grove after Christ Cathedral Church was remodeled and no longer had room for it. As I touched the angel described to me by Marcha, my mind drifted to the importance of angels as noted in Matthew 18:10 and their beauty. In fact, it reminded me of my experience as a young child getting off the school bus and being in the middle of the street crossing to go to my house. The next thing I knew, I had been moved several feet out of harm’s way and lay face up on the grass as I heard the bus rush out of sight. I have always believed that was an angel who protected me from receiving not even a scratch.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>On this site was a bronze angel who wore a flowing gown. Over the years, the bronze, through the weathering process, had turned into a soft, greenish blue color, upon looking at her, gave the appearance of tears running down the statue’s cheeks. The facial features, hands, feet, and toes (including toe nails) were brilliantly displayed. The life-sized angel with open wings was seated, palms facing upward. Her features felt like that of a real person inspite of her angelic imagery.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>As the tram moved quickly to our exit point, a bird flew over with its, what I call, praise song. The words iconography and arboretum passed through my mind, as I truly could understand now how they were attached to the description of this cemetery park. Stepping down from the tram, I thought Spring Grove represents a ministry of encouragement where rest, hope, and peace can be experienced. With all of the beautiful, detailed artwork on the various family burials denoting their life professions, morals, and beliefs, family legacies are shared with all who visit Spring Grove today. The small lake, puzzle-like paths, collection of trees, shrubs, and flowers planted throughout the cemetery, not to mention benches on which one can rest, reflect, or eat, create an atmosphere that brings to mind Philippians 4:7 which states “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” In summary, whatever the season you visit Spring Grove Cemetery and arboretum, I guarantee it will have a profound impact on your life; and if you come away with what I view as the central theme, displayed through the ivory plant with the three leaves representing the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you may never be the same.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>