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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;letter-spacing:1.0pt">OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT</span></b><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">NEWS RELEASE <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">September 30, 2020<b><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">MEDIA CONTACT:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kuri Gill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Coordinator, Oregon Historic Cemeteries Program<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">503-986-0685;
</span><a href="mailto:Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">www.oregonheritage.org</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">October is Historic Cemeteries Month, help protect them<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">October is a great time to explore and protect historic cemeteries. With fall in the air, leaves changing, and morning dew, they are beautiful and powerful places. Here some ways to participate
in Historic Cemeteries Month. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Take a walk in the cemetery. It is a great COVID safe activity. Enjoy the natural surroundings, learn about the people that came before you, and your presence curbs vandalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Read up. Many historic cemeteries have websites that share the history of the people and the place. Also, learn about mortuary traditions and mourning practices of cultures other you’re your
own. Search your local cemetery, visit </span><a href="https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/?s=cemeteries"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Oregon Heritage Exchange</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">, or search the Oregon
Historical Society’s </span><a href="https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/?i=oep&q=cemeteries"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Oregon Encyclopedia</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Stop Vandalism. This time of year people want to explore the supernatural and perhaps creepy aspects of historic cemeteries. Its OK to have fun. Have conversations with friends, family and
neighbors about the respectful treatment of these places. When communities take responsibility, vandalism decreases. Also, report any new damage you discover.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Plan for your Dias de los Muertos tradition. Contact the cemetery to find out their rules for grave goods, celebrations, etc.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Volunteer. These cemeteries need help. Litter patrol, post storm limb pick-up, trained monument cleaning, volunteer coordination, board membership, etc. Contact your local cemetery directly
to find out what they need. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Donate. The cost of cemetery care is surprisingly high. Any donation you offer can provide monument repair, landscape maintenance, records management, and more.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Join the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries. The commission is seeking new members for one for coastal and one for central Oregon position.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The Commission is seeking members with knowledge related to or interest in cemeteries, historic preservation, genealogy, cultural and burial practices of ethnic groups found in Oregon, landscape
and native plants, and history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is comprised of seven citizens and is empowered by the Legislature to develop and maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries in Oregon, make
recommendations for funding, obtain grant funding, seek legislative appropriations for historic cemeteries, and assist in the coordination of restoration, renovation and maintenance of historic cemeteries statewide.<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The group meets four times per year in changing locations around the state. There may be an occasional additional meeting for extra projects, programs and grant selection. Commissioners are
also asked to provide informal meetings in their regions and work on other projects outside of meeting time. Travel costs are reimbursed. While protections measures are in place due to COVID, the meetings will be teleconferences.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to commission coordinator Kuri Gill at
</span><a href="mailto:Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">or 503-986-0685.<b> </b>
Please include your reasons for wanting to serve on the commission, any skills or knowledge you will bring to its work, and ideas or goals you have for your participation. Please submit your information before October 30, 2020.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">More information about the Historic Cemeteries program is available online at
</span><a href="http://www.oregonheritage.org"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">www.oregonheritage.org</span></b></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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