Episodes

April 27, 2023

Episode 132 - The Independent Order of Odd Fellows: From Its Origins …

Fraternal organizations have a long and rich history throughout the world and especially in America. This week Jennie and Dianne begin a new series of episodes dedicated to the many fraternal organizations whose symbols often grace headstones and who even …

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April 20, 2023

Episode 131 - Under the Stone: Early Women Doctors in Evergreen Cemet…

Jennie and Dianne are joined this week by special guest, author and historian Doris McCraw, who wrote the book "Under the Stone: Early Women Doctors in Evergreen Cemetery". They discuss the pioneering women doctors from the 1800s who made an …

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April 13, 2023

Episode 130 - "Corpse for Sale: The Burke and Hare Murders of 1828"

This week Jennie and Dianne stray from the cemetery to explore the gruesome and shocking details of the Burke and Hare murders that gripped Scotland in 1828. These two notorious murderers are responsible for one of the most infamous killing …

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April 6, 2023

Episode 129 - The Shroud of Turin: Legend, Science and Faith

With Easter just a few days away, Jennie and Dianne dive deep into the mysterious and controversial subject of the Shroud of Turin. This ancient piece of cloth is believed by many to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ …

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March 30, 2023

Episode 128 - Ordinary Extraordinary Women: Uncovering the Hidden Sto…

Jennie and Dianne celebrate the last week of Women's History Month by revisiting some past interviews with women who have researched the Ordinary Extraordinary women of the past who fascinated them. Join them as they chat with authors Jan MacKell …

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March 23, 2023

Episode 127 - A Tale of Two Women: Molly Brown and Louise Sneed Hill

In this episode, Jennie and Dianne celebrate Women's History Month as they explore the lives and legacies of two women who helped to tame the Wild West. First we'll meet Margaret Tobin Brown, more famously known today as Molly Brown. …

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March 16, 2023

Episode 126 - Salem Witch Hysteria Part 3

Join Jennie and Dianne as they explore the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials in part three of their series. Discover what happened to the victims and accusers after the trials, including the difficult lives many faced, as well as …

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March 9, 2023

Episode 125 - Salem Witch Hysteria Part 2

In this week's episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne continue their series on the infamous 1692 Salem witch trials. Last week, they talked about how Tituba's confession triggered a chain of events that shaped the course of …

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March 2, 2023

Episode 124 - Salem Witch Hysteria Part 1

Jennie and Dianne discuss the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in part one of a two part series. The Salem witch trials were a dark moment in American history that resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft. …

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Feb. 23, 2023

Episode 123 - For Love of the Little Ones

In this episode, Jennie and Dianne share heartwarming stories of love for children. The first story takes us back to the Great Depression era, where a family relies on the kindness of their neighbors to provide a burial place for …

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Feb. 16, 2023

Episode 122 - "How Do I Love Thee...Beyond the Grave?"

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Happy belated Valentine's Day! In this episode Jennie and Dianne are continuing a month of love by featuring three Ordinary Extraordinary love stories, two of them all the way from …

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Feb. 9, 2023

Episode 121 - For Love of Mules and Horses

Jennie and Dianne kick off a month of love as they delve into the fascinating bond between humans and their beloved equine companions. From the majestic thoroughbred racehorses to the reliable mules, these creatures have captured our hearts and imaginations …

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Feb. 2, 2023

Episode 120 - The Men Who Created Groundhog Day

"This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.​" Phil Conners, "Groundhog Day" - For the past 136 years at 7:20am on February 2nd 15 men dressed in tuxes …

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Jan. 26, 2023

Episode 119 - Whitehall Cemetery (Burial Ground) in Mystic, Connectic…

Whitehall cemetery, also called Whitehall burial ground or Whitehall graveyard, is the oldest burial ground in Mystic, Connecticut being set aside for the purpose in 1644. This cemetery contains many excellent examples of 17th and 18th century stone carving tradition …

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Jan. 18, 2023

Episode 118 Say What? A Cemetery Q and A Part 2

Dianne and Jennie continue to answer your questions in this second Q and A installment of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. They discuss an old-wives tale regarding burial of those who die by suicide, answer questions about how they do …

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Jan. 11, 2023

Episode 117 - Say What? A Cemetery Q & A Part 1

Jennie and Dianne kick off 2023 by answering many questions posed by their listeners over the course of the previous year. They begin this two-part episode by covering the legal definition of an abandoned cemetery and how this definition determines …

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Dec. 29, 2022

Episode 116 - Christmas; Or the Good Fairy: A Harriet Beecher Stowe C…

Jennie and Dianne have made a tradition of sharing classic Christmas stories each year and have chosen an especially lovely to share as we say goodbye to 2022 and hello to the new year. This year the ladies pay a …

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Dec. 22, 2022

Episode 115 - Twas the Night Before an Interview with Author Pamela M…

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Opening lines to one of the most well-known and well-loved Christmas poems of all time, but how did they come to …

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Dec. 15, 2022

Episode 114 - Two Cincinnati Rabbis and the Story of Hanukkah

Hanukkah has become a part of the Jewish-American experience that was essentially brought about by two Rabbis who worked tirelessly during the mid 1800s to improve Jewish life and beliefs in America. Dianne and Jennie pay a virtual visit to …

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Dec. 8, 2022

Episode 113 - The Grave of Alfred Nobel and the Story of His Life

Jennie and Dianne pay homage to a man whose legacy has held much sway over the world for more than 150 years when he stipulated in his will that his fortune was to be "deposited in a fund, the interest …

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Dec. 1, 2022

Episode 112 - Part 2 Old Burial Hill In Plymouth, Massachusetts

Jennie and Dianne continue to explore Old Burial Hill cemetery in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They recount a love story that took a very long time to come true. They also visit the grave of the first American casualty of a foreign …

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Nov. 24, 2022

Episode 111 - Old Burial Hill In Plymouth, Massachusetts

Happy Thanksgiving! Dianne and Jennie explore Old Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This is Plymouth's second oldest burial ground and the possible final resting place to some of the Mayflower passengers as well as many of their descendants. They delve …

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Nov. 17, 2022

Episode 110 - Death and the Puritans

Jennie and Dianne delve into the spiritual beliefs of the Puritans and how those beliefs made them fear death, but also brought comfort in times of grief. We discuss how these beliefs affected their dress, daily living, death rituals and …

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Nov. 10, 2022

Episode 109 - Interview with Wreaths Across America

In honor of Veteran's Day, Jennie and Dianne sit down with the executive director of Wreaths Across America, Karen Worcester, to learn how a serendipitous mistake led to National Wreaths Across America Day, and the mission to Remember, Honor and …

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