The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

Jennie Johnson & Dianne Hartshorn

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.

  1. DEC 11

    Episode 259 - The Santa Colonel: 70 Years of Christmas Magic

    Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. This week Dianne and Jennie are getting into the holiday spirit with the heartwarming story of Colonel Harry Shoup, the Air Force officer who answered a mistaken phone call from a little girl looking for Santa. His kindness sparked a tradition that's tracked Santa for 70 years! Ever wondered how NORAD got involved? Tune in to hear the Ordinary Extraordinary, magical Christmas tale! Episode available on YouTube:   https://youtu.be/7014a4Stt_0?si=RS2OobqhaCPFBxvC It may not be Christmas Eve yet, but read stories, play games and more, and of course, track Santa with NORAD on Christmas Eve at:https://www.noradsanta.org/en/ Resources used to research this episode include:                                                    DME Interns. "Harry Shoup: The Santa Colonel ." https://news.va.gov/. 24 Dec. 2021. news.va.gov/98635/harry-shoup-the-santa-colonel/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025. Young, Olivia. "Colorado woman recalls phone call that transformed father into NORAD's "Santa Colonel" ." https://www.cbsnews.com/. 24 Dec. 2024. www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-woman-recalls-phone-call-transformed-father-norads-santa-colonel/. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025. Multiple Contributors . "NORAD Tracks Santa ." https://en.wikipedia.org/. 6 Nov. 2024. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORAD_Tracks_Santa. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025. The Gazette . "Harry Wesley Shoup ." https://obits.gazette.com/. 18 Mar. 2009. obits.gazette.com/us/obituaries/gazette/name/harry-shoup-obituary?id=23024681. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025. Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

    45 min
  2. NOV 6

    Episode 255 - The Stories of Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio

    Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Jennie and Dianne are thrilled to welcome Diana Kresnye, a passionate tour guide and historical interpreter at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio to the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast. Lake View Cemetery is a treasure trove of history, art, and nature, featuring a Level 2 Arboretum with thousands of trees, the final resting place of James A. Garfield (the 20th president of the United States), and the Wade Memorial Chapel, one of the few remaining interiors totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios.  This episode is perfectly timed to coincide with the November 6 release of the Netflix miniseries "Death by Lightning," which dramatizes the life of President James A. Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau. Diana believes that "cemeteries are among the best storytellers we have in our communities. They hold memory, mystery, and meaning—and invite us to listen."  To learn more about Lake View Cemetery or to take a tour, visit their website: https://www.lakeviewcemetery.com/ You can also follow them on social media:      https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGwscJxTa/ https://www.instagram.com/lakeviewcemetery?igsh=cHpnanJxZmRtajA2 *All images of Lake View Cemetery provided by Diana Kresney and shared with permission. Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

    1h 5m
  3. OCT 30

    Episode 254 - Beyond the Grave: The Phantom of the Opera

    Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. Join Jennie and Dianne for the 2025 "Beyond the Grave" episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, just in time to put you in a spooky mood for Halloween! Dim the lights, get cozy, and immerse yourself in Gaston Leroux's timeless masterpiece. With a special introduction by legendary silent film actor Lon Chaney, you'll be transported to 1880s Paris and the majestic Palais Garnier. Settle in and let the Ordinary Extraordinary tale of the Phantom of the Opera bewitch you. As Christine Daaé's voice rises to stardom, she must make an impossible choice: surrender to the Phantom's dark obsession or risk everything for a chance at true love with Raoul. Gaston Leroux's classic novel was adapted and performed by phenomenally talented actors live at Evergreen Cemetery on October 3rd & 4th, 2025 in order to help raise funds for the preservation of  Colorado Springs' historic cemeteries, and now we bring it to you for your listening pleasure. Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/26o4BIJq5Ws Script adaptation written by Jennie Johnson Thank you so much to all the actors who lent their time and talent to bring this classic tale to life. The actors are, in order of appearance: 🎶Opera Singer (at event)... Quinn Malmstrom                                                                 🎶Opera Singer (at event)... Kass Allen                                                                     🎶 Lon Chaney (audio version)... Charles Johnson                                                            🎶 Lon Chaney (silent film at event)... Jeremy Moskowitz                                             🎶Carlotta... Ashley Arroyo 🎶Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny...Asha Hart 🎶Christine Daaé... Casper Johnson 🎶The Phantom... Solomon Abell 💀Beyond the Grave Spirits💀 💀Jair Garcia De la Cruz 💀Naomi Compo 💀Raine Mason 💀Zoe Guinto 💀Lark Tipton     Music: "Death and the Maiden" by Franz Schubert 🎶 Recorded, produced and published by: Gregor Quendel 🎶 The Arrangement is based on the notes by: H. Fesefeldt 🎶 Courtesy of CLASSICALS.DE EXCLUSIVE RECORDINGS https://www.classicals.de/schubert-d810 Sound effects provided by www.pixabay.com Photography by: Jeffery Heizer Produced by Evergreen Heritage & The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast

    51 min
4.5
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.

You Might Also Like