PEORIA -- This year's Springdale Cemetery Walk focuses on the Civil War, and brings to life the people buried in Springdale who played vital roles in that conflict.
There are generals, a nurse, a female volunteer who supported the troops, even a musician whose career took him from the war to become the door keeper of the US House and US Senate in Washington, D.C.
One Union general eventually married the widow of a Confederate general. Wonder what that marriage was like?
Another Union general later became friends with a Confederate general he had fought against. That fellow accompanied his former enemy's body to be buried at Springdale.
As usual the actors and their monologues bring the characters to life, a kind of historic resurrection.
The cemetery, 3014 N. Prospect Road, is beautiful as usual, and you can sign a petition asking cemetery officials to preserve the savannah, a wild area threatened with destruction to make room for more graves. Though there is plenty of room without it.
The walk continues this week, at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 2 and 4 p.m. on Oct. 8 and 9. Call 689-8000 for reservations.
Some of the best nature preserves are found in unused areas of cemeteries. Save the Savannah!!!
Posted by: Steve Waterworth | October 03, 2011 at 10:24 PM