Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association eNewsletter
Hope Abbey Mausoleum
 

In This Issue
Music To Die For
Our new President
Cemetery Maintenance
Did you Know?

When the Eugene Masonic Cemetery was created, it was 2 1/2 miles from downtown. The 10 acre site was purchased by Masonic Lodge #11 in 1859, making it the oldest cemetery in Eugene. The cost in 1859? $350!
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HELP US CONTINUE RESTORING HISTORY

Consider making a contribution through PayPal, available on our website. When you click below, you'll be taken to the EMCA website where you can access the PayPal donate button. Help us preserve this important part of Eugene's history. Thank you. 

 

 
Music to Die For
"Journeys beyond the Borders"  

David Helfand & Justin Lader 
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Hope Abbey Mausoleum
2 PM  
  
An afternoon of vibrant, transcendental  original  music inspired by journeys to Cornwall, the Negev Desert and beyond, featuring music from their brand new epic album " Through the Portal ".  Featuring David Helfand on Celtic Harp, octave mandolin, guitar, Justin Lader on viola and violin. Music of passion, dreams and magical landscapes of power and myth.

CDs will be available for sale after the concert. 
 

All MTDF programs are held in Hope Abbey Mausoleum on the grounds of the Eugene Masonic Cemetery, 25th & University, and begin at 2PM. Seating is limited so please arrive a bit early. All programs are free.

Additional free Music To Die For programs in coming months include:
September 25th: David Gross & Friends
October 30th: Eugene Recorder Orchestra

Parking on the cemetery grounds is extremely limited, but both gates are open to allow alter-abled people access to Hope Abbey. Regular parking is available on nearby city streets.
EMCA President
Crystal Persi
I never dreamed that that I would hold the title of "President" less than two years after first learning about the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association (EMCA) and their volunteer board of directors. I'll never forget that first board meeting I attended. The faces around the room were so friendly and genuinely happy for me to be there. Many of them have been on the board for over a decade and carry so much knowledge and historical information in their minds. Finding ways to tap into this wisdom and oral history has been a fun part of my initial work as president.
 
My work as president started the middle of May. Since then I was honored to present a dedication speech for one of our founding board members, worked on analyzing the EMCA strategic plan with an eye on the future of the EMCA, learned a great deal of history, and considered how we will fund the additional restoration projects for Hope Abbey and the cemetery grounds. Additionally, I have worked to address the structure of how projects get done around the cemetery and am implementing a new committee structure to tap into the numerous skill sets of our board members as well as to engage the wonderful volunteers who are so eager to help us achieve success. I am glad to have a strong, well functioning board and fellow officers to support my work.
Cemetery Maintenance


The Eugene Masonic Cemetery is comprised of 10 acres of tombstones, trees, trails and growth, as well as the historic Hope Abbey Mausoleum. Maintenance of the grounds is a large undertaking under the supervision of Site Manager, Wendi Propst, with Steve Kuchera assisting. Each year a big part of our budget is for mowing. Some areas are maintained as lawns, but large areas are left to grow naturally and are normally cut once a year. That mowing has gotten under way for the summer. WHY it's cut only once a year is not simple, and will be the subject of an article next month. The left photo above is from this year's mowing.
 
Maintaining the roads within the cemetery is something we attend to every few years. This year the main road from the main gate at 25th to the Public Square at to top has been graveled and graded. Additionally, foot paths and other areas near the main gate are being leveled for the safety of our visitors as depicted in the second photograph.
 
Like many nonprofit organizations, operating funds come from many sources. Contributions from friends like you provide a significant portion of the money needed to operate the EMC as an important historic site in a safe and inviting manner. You can make a donation right now by using the "Click to Donate" to the left. Help us continue the work we've done so well.
Sincerely,
John Bredesen
eNewsletter Editor