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the orland park prairie | October 5, 2017 | 5
History Museum finds symbolism in cemetery
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
Headstones come in all
shapes and sizes, and the inscriptions
carved into each
burial marker reveal details
of someone’s life.
From their years spent on
earth to their religious affiliations
to their important relationships,
the words found
on tombstones can give a
glimpse into the individuals
they represent, but even
more personal history can
be discovered if one knows
where to look.
On Sept. 23, Orland Park
History Museum curator
Sarah Konzen led the inaugural
Cemetery Symbolism
& Preservation tour at Orland
Memorial Park Cemetery
and uncovered the
meaning behind many of
the common images, adornments
and signs found on
headstones from the 1800s
to present day. She also discussed
the background of a
variety of tombstone shapes
and materials, while highlighting
the importance of
preserving these markers for
future generations.
“People see crosses, hands
pointed upward or shaking
hands; and things like
cardinals, wheat and trees;
and wonder, ‘What does it
mean,’” Konzen said. “So,
that’s what I’m going to be
discussing on today’s tour. I
hope people learn a lot about
symbolism that they don’t
realize.”
Curiosity about headstone
engravings inspired Orland
Park residents Dennis and
Andrea Adams to sign up for
the tour.
“I’ve often thought about
these symbols, and now I’ll
find out what they mean,”
Andrea said. “I’d just like to
learn a little bit more about
how people thought in those
days.”
Konzen began the tour in
Section 1 of the nondenominational
cemetery, which has
been active since 1859, and
pointed out markings.
Orland Park History Museum curator Sarah Konzen welcomes everyone to the Cemetery
Symbolism & Preservation tour Sept. 23 at Orland Memorial Park Cemetery.
Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Trees were a common
theme throughout the tour.
A pair of headstones marking
the graves of members
of the Schussler family actually
were made in the shape
of tree trunks, which Konzen
said represent life cut short.
She added the stones’ ivy
embellishments represent
regrowth in the afterlife.
In addition to discussing
the symbols of the cemetery,
Konzen detailed the history
behind the materials used to
create headstones.
“Granite has become popular,
mainly because it’s a
stronger rock than slate and
sandstone, more durable and
easier to etch with engravings
and pictures,” she said.
Nancy Shifrin, of Orland
Park — joined by her friend
and fellow resident Lynn
Howard — said she was
motivated to take the tour to
learn more about the village
she calls home.
“I’ve decided that I’m
going to do some of the interesting
things that you see
in Orland and get a little bit
more involved in the history,”
she said. “I’ve been here
for 28 years. It’s about time I
got to know the area.”
Residents will once again
get an opportunity to learn
about the history of Orland
Park and its early settlers,
when the museum hosts its
evening tour throughout the
Orland Memorial Park Cemetery
Oct. 11.
“Previous mayors are buried
here, so we’ll talk about
them,” Konzen said. “That
tour will be a more in-depth
look at the history of Orland
Park, its pioneers and the significant
people to the area.”
Chicago resident Fred
Persak said he likely will return
for future tours.
“What’s more fun than
coming to a cemetery,” he
said with a laugh.
For more information regarding
the Oct. 11 tour, visit
www.orlandpark.org.
Drive-thru clinic coming Oct. 14
Submitted by Orland
Township
Adults ages 19 and older
can get their flu and pneumonia
shots together at Orland
Township’s 2017 clinics.
Both Pneumovax 23 and
Prevnar 13 will be available
at all clinics. It is recommended
that people consult
their doctors to find out what
they need.
Flu Shots will be administered
from 3-6 p.m. every
Monday and from 4-7 p.m.
every Wednesday, through
Oct. 30.
Pneumonia vaccine prices
are as follows.
• Pneumovax 23 — Adults
50 to 64, and 65 and older
without Medicare B: $100
• Prevnar 13 — Adults 19
and older, without Medicare
Part B: $195
• Adults 65 and older with
Medicare Part B: Free
An appointment is needed
for a pneumonia shot. To make
one, call (708) 403-4222.
Quadrivalent flu vaccine
prices are as follows.
• Children 6 months of old
to 18 years old (eligibility
requirements apply): Free
• Adults 19 to 64: $25
Senior high-dose flu vaccine
prices are as follows.
• Adults 65 and older with
Medicare Part B: Free
• Adults 65 and older without
Medicare Part B: $40
Proof of residency is required.
Quadrivalent protects
against four different flu viruses.
A Medicare Part B card
must be presented at the time
of vaccination. Those with a
Medicare Advantage plan
are not eligible for a free
vaccination.
The next drive-thru clinic
is schedule from 9 a.m.-
12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
14, at the Orland Township
office, 14807 S. Ravinia
Ave. in Orland Park.
For more information,
(708) 403-4222 or visit
www.orlandtownship.org.
Spellers wanted for Orland’s Open Spelling Bee
Submitted by Village of
Orland Park
A long-standing Orland
Park tradition is to return
Sunday, Oct. 15, when the
Presbyterian Church of Orland
Park and the Village of
Orland Park co-host the 39th
annual Orland Park Open
Spelling Bee.
Retired school superintendent
Dr. Bill Smith has
been overseeing the annual
contest for nearly four decades.
He credits Laura Ingalls
Wilder’s “Little House
on the Prairie” for prompting
the idea of a community
wide spelling bee.
Orland Park Village officials
serve as judges for the
contest each year.
Those ages 8-10 compete
at 2 p.m., followed by ages
11 through high school at
2:45 p.m. Adults compete at
3:30 p.m., with the awards
presentation at 4:30 p.m.
The competition is held at
the Presbyterian Church,
13401 Wolf Road in Orland
Park.
Winners are determined
according to age groups,
with 12 trophies and 24
medals presented to the winners.
First, second and third
place trophies are awarded
for four categories — three
divided according to age and
the fourth category of overall
winners.
There is no charge to
participate; however, preregistration
is strongly encouraged.
The competition
is open to everyone ages 8
through seniors and participants
need not live in Orland
Park. Ribbons and trophies
will be awarded to top finishers.
Participants can register
via email by writing to pcor
land@gmail.com. Include
the name of the speller, home
address, phone number, age
and school attending. Or
participants may register by
phone by calling the church
at (708) 448-8142.