Sunnyside Neighborhood Association

Mary Faulkner                     Marissa Johnson Karen Kane, Metro

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

(503) 789-5887                    (503) 853-9352                    (503) 797-1942

 

Lone Fir Cemetery’s Sixth Annual Tour of
Untimely Departures on Halloween Night

Proceeds support education, preservation and restoration efforts

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – October 7, 2010 – In the spirit of Halloween, Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery extends an invitation to the community to meet some of the cemetery’s deceased “residents” during guided tours from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31. Proceeds from the tours will go toward Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery outreach and education efforts for the cemetery.

Last year, more than 2,000 people toured the cemetery on Halloween night.  Guests learned about the history of the cemetery, as well as stories about the unusual circumstances surrounding the deaths of some of the buried. “The turn out from 2009 was incredible it was double from 2008, the event is becoming a part of Portland’s Halloween event scene,” said Marissa Johnson, event chair for Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery’s Tour of Untimely Departures. “With the anticipation of more people attending this year, we are seeking as many volunteers as possible.”

Anyone interested in volunteering on Halloween can leave a message at (503) 224-9200 or email [email protected]. Remaining volunteer meetings are scheduled for October 10 and 24 at 12:30 p.m. at Lone Fir Cemetery. Tour guides, actors, logistic coordinators and other volunteers are needed.

There will be two different tour routes where guests can elect to go on one or both of the 45-minute tours for $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for families. To accommodate the number of visitors anticipated in the cemetery, 1,000 pre-sale tickets will be available online atwww.ticketswest.com or at any Tickets West outlet. Tickets will be sold in three one-hour blocks for tours leaving at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Online sales will continue until midnight, October 30. As in past years, tickets will be available on Halloween night at the gate on a first-come, first-served basis. Online ticket holders are encouraged to arrive 20 minutes before their tour. Guests should gather at the main entrance on Southeast 26^thand Stark Street, and should dress for wet or cold weather as the event will take place … rain or moonshine. TriMet bus 15 stops at Southeast 26^th and Belmont, which is a couple blocks away from the entrance. No pets or alcohol are allowed in the cemetery and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

About the Tour of Untimely Departures

For a number of years, volunteers had patrolled the grounds on Halloween night in an attempt to prevent vandalism from occurring. The cemetery is usually closed to visitors after sundown. In 2005, Friends of Lone Fir volunteers and Metro staff decided to welcome the community into the cemetery. “The best way to prevent vandalism is to educate the community that this special place deserves to be cared for and preserved,” said Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder.

About Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery

Founded in 2000, Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery is an all volunteer, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to education, restoration and preservation efforts for the cemetery. With its first burial dating back to 1846, Lone Fir is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Portland area and the largest pioneer cemetery managed by Metro, the regional government in the Portland metropolitan area. Through fundraising events, monument repair workshops, clean up days, and historic tours, Friends of Lone Fir strives to raise dollars and awareness to overcome the inevitable deterioration that many of America’s oldest cemeteries face. Burials still occur regularly for families who own graves, and Friends of Lone Fir seek to honor the deceased and their survivors through encouraging community involvement in this treasured greenspace. For more information, call (503) 224-9200 or visit www.friendsoflonefircemetery.org.

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Rachel Fox, Manager

Metro Parks & Environmental Services Administration

Metro Pioneer Cemeteries

[email protected]

503-797-1856

 

Metro| People places.  Open spaces.

www.oregonmetro.gov

 

SES Winter Craft Fair – December 4, 10am-4pm

Come do your holiday shopping at the Sunnyside Environmental School’s annual winter craft fair, Saturday, December 4, 10-4. Local artisans as well as creative SES students will ply their wares. A percentage of the profits will go toward funding the arts at the school and students will use their earnings to help fund their grade-specific overnight trips in the spring.

 

SES Book Sale – November 20th, 9am-6pm

SES will be hosting a used book sale to raise funds for its library.

WHEN: Saturday, November 20th, 9am-6pm

WHERE: The old Wild Oats at 3016 SE Division Street

Contact Zoe Pedersen for more information at 503-756-4287.

If you have books to donate to the sale, organizers will accept book donations at SES (3421 SE Salmon St.) until November 15th, Mon-Fri, during school hours. Leave books in a clearly marked bag or box labeled “Book Sale” in the main hallway, under the glass display case.

 

Autumn greetings!

You are cordially invited to a little celebration and inaugeration of the new “Pedestrian Safety Improvement” in front of our SE Multicultural Service Center (4610 S.E. Belmont St.) at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 28th!   After 14 years since the subject was first discussed, and more than 8 years since our first formal request to the city, the project is finally very close to completion!  Join us outside (rain or shine) for a little symbolic ribbon-cutting and a few words from those who were involved in the process; then retreat inside to the Loaves and Fishes dining room for a little cake, ice cream, and hot refreshments.

This event is a late add-on to our center’s annual “Wintering In” service day.  See attached flyer and forward it to those you feel would benefit by attending.

Many, many thanks for supporting and contributing to the crosswalk project!   I look forward to seeing you there!

Darvel Lloyd
Chair, S.E. District Senior Advisory Council

P.S. I’ve tried to include as many supporters and “key” people as I could remember in the “Bcc” box; however, if you know anyone who deserves an invitation but did not receive this, please forward it along.  Parking close-in is a bit difficult, so plan to park on the side streets or take the bus (#15).