Malcolm X Community College

The next stop was in the windy city of Chicago at Malcolm X Community College. The school features a mortuary department, so it was our pleasure to provide its students with a unique educational experience. The turn out was pleasantly surprising as many others from the college ventured across the windswept parking lot to experience Reflections. We also included a special exhibit from Frigid Fluid, the events sponsor.

Reflections Participates In Rockford's Salute to Mr. Lincoln Weekend

We had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a very special event with Rockford Illinois' Salute to Mr. Lincoln event which included the dedication of a new 5 foot tall Abraham Lincoln sculpture in front the courthouse. We were able to set our exhibit in front of Rockford's Veterans Memorial Hall. It happens to be the first memorial hall of the nation and was dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903.

The dedication of the sculpture was quite an event and the city pulled out all the stops. Hundreds attended the proceedings which featured historical reenactors, including Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln, Illinois 33rd Regimental Band, and several key speakers. It was an honor to participate in this one of a kind event.

The newest Lincoln Statue, "Iron Determination"

Cognetta Family of Funeral Home Hosts Reflections

On a very special invitation, Reflections joined the Hoyt-Cognetta and Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home for open houses.


Our first event took place at the on the Green of Norwalk, Connecticut in front of Saint Paul's Church and Cemetery that was founded in 1737. It was beautiful setting for the exhibit and drew a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. We were not the vehicle there however. We shared our space with a sharp new Harley Davidson hearse that had come up from Moloney Family Funeral Homes of Long Island to participate. We also had an ice cream truck on location that was providing tasty treats compliments of the Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home. The home's manager, Danny Turocy, did an excellent a great job promoting the event and we were even featured on the local news that day.

Our second open house took place just down the road in Stamford on the grounds of Saint Bridget of Ireland Roman Catholic Church. We were quite busy early in the day as it was Sunday and two masses took place. The Cognetta Funeral Home staff were all present and providing information about funeral services and planning. Nick Cognetta was also providing complimentary refreshments for the event which including hot dogs, hot pretzels, ice cream, and cold beverages. No one left hungry!

Della Vecchia Funeral Home brings us to Southington

On the invitation from Della Vecchia Funeral Home, Reflections made two stops in the community of Southington. First hosting the exhibit at their facility in town and then sharing with the Mortuary students of Briarwood College. It was a very unique show full of wonderful visitors. The local fire department came out and brought their fire trucks. Now that was a first to have a firemen leave his boots at the door. They enjoyed it so much a second truck came to visit.

This is will long be a story we tell, remember when the fire truck came to visit.

Bailey Funeral Home Celebrate 125 Years

As a wonderful show of thanks for 125 years of community support, Bailey Funeral Home of Plainville, CT held an open house and reception that was open to the public. To augment their event they invited Reflections to join them in their celebration. This funeral home has deep roots in the community and the grandchildren of the original owners were there to enjoy the honors. More then 200 guests passed through our doors and we were filled with the comments from a close knit community. We feel a great privilege to have visited such an established funeral home with so many years of continued service.

Indianapolis

Reflections finished out the summer in Indianapolis at two great locations. First was American Legion Post 64, hosting the kickoff of the Legacy Run, a 1,200 mile motorcycle ride to raise money for American Legion Scholarship programs.

Many Legion members and ride participants toured the exhibit, and were especially interested in the tributes to the men and women in uniform.

After the good times at the American Legion, Reflections crossed town to the National Cemetery Administration Conference. Set up at the Indianapolis Hilton between the Capitol building and Monument Circle, Reflections was in quite an official setting. With the excellent help of officer McAtee, traffic was routed around the expandable from 9am-6pm so that conference goers could experience the ways in which Reflections is educating the public about funeral customs.

Dream Cruise

One of the great end-of-summer traditions in Southeast Michigan is the Woodward Dream Cruise. Car enthusiasts of all kinds flock to Woodward Avenue to see the impromptu parade of classic cars that meanders between Pontiac and 8 Mile. Halfway along the route, Reflections was open to visitors Friday evening and all day Saturday in the parking lot of Peabody's Restaurant in Birmingham. A special sign was created detailing the some of the well known residents of the many cemeteries along Woodward Avenue.

Our host for the day was Lynch Funeral Homes, a great supporter of the Reflections exhibit. They brought with them their pristine 1939 Packard hearse, so the car enthusiasts had a special treat. Pat even ran into a featured member of Reflections next to the Packard!

The folks at Peabody's were also operating a lift to give people a better view of the crowds and cars below, so we took the opportunity to get a good shot of the whole amazing scene.