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Post by Graveyardbride on May 2, 2024 0:27:32 GMT -5
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. – Marcus Aurelius.
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Post by Graveyardbride on May 1, 2024 0:48:13 GMT -5
May Day Festivals. Primitive man lived and died by his harvest. The purpose of his spring ceremonies was to ensure a plentiful autumn. Relics of these fertility dramas are to be found all over Europe. In Great Britain, for example, one can still see harmless versions of them danced in obscure villages on May Day. Their cast includes many alarming characters: a man-animal or hobby horse who canters at the head of the procession charging at girls, a man-woman, a sinister teaser, played by the community leader or priest, and a man-fool, “Punch,” the most complex of all the symbolic figures, the privileged simpleton and “King for a day.” Six swordsmen follow these figures and at the climax of the ceremony, lock their swords together in a clear symbol of the sun. In pagan times, however, these dancers were not simply picturesque jigs, they were frenzied rites ending in a sacrifice by which the dancers hoped desperately to win over the goddess of the fields. In good times, they offered produce to the gods and slaughtered animals, but in bad years, when the harvest had been poor, the sacrifice was a human being. In some cultures, it would be the king himself, in others, their most beloved virgin, and very often, he or she would be kept hidden for months preceding the ceremony; just as the sun is hidden from earth in winter. Methods of sacrifice differed. Sometimes the victim would be drowned in the sea, or burned to death in a huge sacrificial bonfire. Sometimes the six swordsmen ritually beheaded the virgin. The chief priest then skinned the child, and wearing the still warm skin like a mantle, led the rejoicing crowds through the streets. The priest thus represented the goddess reborn and guaranteed another successful harvest next year. – The Wicker Man, 1973.Happy May Day!
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 30, 2024 1:42:07 GMT -5
Walpurgis Night, when, according to the belief of millions of people, the devil was abroad – when the graves were opened and the dead came forth and walked. When all evil things of earth and air and water held revel. This very place the driver had specially shunned. This was the depopulated village of centuries ago. This was where the suicide lay; and this was the place where I was, alone – unmanned, shivering with cold in a shroud of snow with a wild storm gathering again upon me! It took all my philosophy, all the religion I had been taught, all my courage, not to collapse in a paroxysm of fright. – Bram Stoker, Dracula’s Guest and Other Weird Stories.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 30, 2024 1:40:02 GMT -5
Second Clue: amphibian
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 29, 2024 15:01:14 GMT -5
First Clue: fifth
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 29, 2024 0:57:59 GMT -5
The marsh marigold is considered of great use in divination and is called “the shrub of Beltaine.” Garlands are made of it for the cattle and the door-posts to keep off the fairy power. Milk also is poured on the threshold, though none would be given away; nor fire, nor salt – these three things being sacred. There are many superstitions concerning May-time. It is not safe to go on the water the first Monday in May. Hares found on May morning are supposed to be witches and should be stoned. – Lady Jane Francesca Wilde, Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 29, 2024 0:54:54 GMT -5
Number of points as of April 28, 2024:
April - 23 points Catherine - 270 points Chris - 12 points Ellie - 50 points Jane - 92 points Jason - 211.5 points Joanna - 14 points Joe - 11 points joedetweiler - 16 points Julia - 312 points Kate - 36 points Ken - 184 points Kitty - 28 points Madeline - 125 points Meredith (Reportertype) - 20 points murdermaven - 5 points Natalie - 38 points Pat - 52 points Sarah - 4 points Sam - 40 points Snowfairy - 13 points Sonderweg - 67 points Steve - 3 points
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 29, 2024 0:51:11 GMT -5
Second Clue: amphibian _______
First Clue: fifth _______
Please read carefully before attempting to name the Location.
Following is the primary clue for Mystery Location No. 401:
The 3-bedroom, 4-bath home in the swanky subdivision of a city with some rather unusual inhabitants was purchased by a middle-aged man who unceremoniously dumped his wife and children in pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, he came to a bad end, which often happens when one is so self-centered he chooses to share his life with the devil.
Each day, a new clue will be posted until someone names the location, providing the street address, city and state, as well as the room or apartment number, if applicable, (or province/country if located outside the US) and an explanation as to how each clue applies to the location. If no one correctly names the location, the contest will end at midnight (Eastern time), Saturday, May 4, 2024. Please note, the contest ends at midnight in the Eastern Time Zone. If you live in a different time zone, please make adjustments so you will know what time it ends where you are.
You may discuss the location with other members by posting your comments using the “reply” option, but please do not attempt to name the location until you are absolutely certain of your answer and you are able to post the street address, city, state, etc., along with a photo, or link to a photo, of the Location.
For those of you who remember our old Mystery Locations contest, the point system has changed. Now, if you name the location on the first day, i.e., before the first clue is posted, you will receive 7 points. Thereafter, the points will depend upon the number of clues that have been provided when you name the Location as indicated below. If you name the Location after the first clue, you will receive 6 points, etc., as indicated below. However, after the Sixth (last clue) is provided on Saturday, you must name the location before midnight (EST) Saturday night. Upon accumulation of sufficient points, winners may choose an item from our Prize List.
Sunday (or before First Clue is provided) - 7 points First Clue (Monday) - 6 points Second Clue (Tuesday) - 5 points Third Clue (Wednesday) - 4 points Fourth Clue (Thursday) - 3 points Fifth Clue (Friday) - 2 points Sixth Clue (Saturday before midnight) - 1 point
If you wish, you may collaborate with another member and if the two of you win, points will be divided between the two of you.
This contest is meant to be fun, so, as before, we ask that you conduct yourself accordingly. To prevent any accusations of favoritism, Joanna has been advised of the name and address of the Location and will not be participating in this week’s contest.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 28, 2024 22:42:55 GMT -5
Sheriff Announces Possible DNA Breakthrough in Case
On Wednesday (April 24), Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills announced a possible breakthrough in the 10-year-old murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond. “Over the last couple of years we have taken articles of potential evidence, things that we’ve had since these crimes occurred,” to labs outside of Houston and Salt Lake City, he told reporters and other interested parties. “These laboratories have found DNA on these articles, and yesterday, I got a call and one of the labs informed me they had located DNA, or found DNA, on some of the things we took to Utah that did not come from Shirley or Russell Dermond.”
This could be a potential major break in the case. Right now, he continued, the lab is searching for additional DNA to “hopefully get enough to where it can be submitted” to criminal DNA databases. While he admitted the DNA may be that of a law enforcement officer, investigator, technician, or someone else involved in the case, he remains hopeful. “Unless it’s something like that, it’s probably gonna be whoever perpetrated these murders, or at least somebody who was a party to the crime,” he added.
“I consider it promising,” he said, “you know what I’m saying, that we may get to that point” of identifying a suspect through an eventual DNA match. “These people committed a heinous crime, depraved act. They need to be caught,” he emphasized. “They may well do it again, or already have done something again, so the public deserves whoever did this to be apprehended, prosecuted and put away where it can’t happen again.”
Sources: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office; Jonathan Raymond, WXIA, April 25, 2024, and WMAZ.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 28, 2024 0:33:54 GMT -5
Oh, I am very weary, Though tears no longer flow; My eyes are tired of weeping, My heart is sick of woe. – Anne Brontë.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 27, 2024 3:45:49 GMT -5
My name is Victoria Winters. There are two great houses at Collinwood, one alive with the present and the other slowly decaying, filled with the dead memories of the past. – Victoria Winters, Dark Shadows, April 27, 1967.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 26, 2024 14:53:24 GMT -5
Trial Moved to Hopkinsville
On Tuesday (April 23), Judge Charles Simms ordered the trial of the three Defendants in the Crystal Rogers case be moved to Christian County. Accordingly, the February 2025 proceedings will take place in Hopkinsville, the site of the 1955 extraterrestrial encounter – which some local wags deem appropriate.
Following the hearing, Ted Lavit, the lawyer representing Defendant Steve Lawson, addressed reporters outside the courthouse. “We considered various locations and it was thought that the location at Christian County would be suitable,” he said. “It’s not that far away from Bardstown – couple hours. It has good protection for jurors and witnesses, and counsel and court personnel. And it was thought that this all being considered, this would be a proper place to recommend to Judge Simms.”
Local media coverage of the case and others some believe are related was the principal reason for the change of venue. “That was the primary object of our discussion,” the attorney continued. “It was thought that it met the criteria of eliminating any media bias. I wanted to go a little further out and considered Paducah, but on the other hand, convenience for Judge Simms, personnel and witnesses all had a bearing on the decision.”
Sources: Shay McAlister, WHAS, April 25, 2024, and Rachel Smith, The Louisville Courier-Journal, April 24, 2024.
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 26, 2024 1:20:20 GMT -5
This war must go on till the last of this generation falls in his tracks, and his children seize his musket and fight our battles, unless you acknowledge our right of self-government. We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for independence .... – President Jefferson Davis.
Many Confederate organizations honor our Southern heroes on or around April 26. On Monday, April 22, Alabama and Georgia observed Confederate Memorial Day, and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared April “Confederate Heritage Month.” North and South Carolina hold observations on May 10. Texas honors the Confederacy on January 19, Robert E. Lee’s birthday. Some states have removed Confederate holidays from their calendars, however, various organizations within those states continue to celebrate our heritage. Happy Confederate Memorial Day!
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 26, 2024 1:10:29 GMT -5
Fifth Clue: Tennessee
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Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 25, 2024 0:19:07 GMT -5
Man is diminished if he lives without knowledge of his past; without hope of a future he becomes a beast. – P. D. James, The Children of Men.
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