Bonaventure After Hours: My Skully Valentine

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One of the phrases I use quite a bit, “Bonaventure is for lovers.” Its a phrase that either makes people smile or in my case as cemetery storyteller in an old Southern city garners some scornful or cringey looks. I, however, am of the school of thought and have always found them to be romantic places. In high school when I worked as a groundskeeper in Rantoul, Illinois’ Maplewood Cemetery, I thought nothing of taking a girl on a date there. I’d bake a quiche, grab a blanket and drive just outside of town to the little 1840’s patch on a hill surrounded by budding cornfields under the stars. There was this one modern granite vault that was perfect for throwing a blanket over. We’d climb up spread out and dine. Ah, good times. Even if I’m now the voice that says, “Kids, don’t climb on the vaults.” 

I’m not sure how widespread this was in history, but at least in Savannah, if a man were serious about a woman in the whole “Til’ death do us part,” thing, the tradition was to go to the cemetery to propose to her. The couple’s families would wait outside of the gates, and if she said, “Yes,” they walked out holding hands. If she declined, I guess they had other formalities. Its no wonder Bonaventure has so many weddings then. I remember one Halloween weekend? There were 19 over a few days and 6 or 7 on the actual Halloween date. Good times. I myself told a story at a wedding in Bonaventure 2 years ago on Halloween night and gifted the couple a story at the grave I plan to feature on the upcoming “Bonaventure After Hours: My Skully Valentine” event, February 16th, 5 PM to 8 PM. Its not a story I often do publicly but I positively love and covet it and only share it on special occasions so am excited to break it out again!

Which, yes, this will be a special Bonaventure After Hours where I will highlight stories of couples and even some singles who were perhaps too unbridled for marital bonds but had some adventures all of the same! Naturally, per “real life” and my style, these stories will range from what happens when the love was written by someone above, and then what happens when it full on flies off the rails and nobody gets out unscathed! Either way, guests will find the whole experience leaving them insatiable and everyone will want a cigarette following the adventure. Yes, that good.

This 2.5 Hour spectacle includes the Official Event Poster, “Love, Truth & Stories,” signed by myself and runs $44.95. This event WILL SELL OUT & as of this posting we’re more than halfway there so get your tickets now at 912.319.5600 or just click BOOK NOW anywhere on the website! Come fall in love with Bonaventure and what we do!

Listen To Shannon recite his lover’s tribute, “Media of Two.”

Official Poster

 

 

South Magazine’s “Haunted Savannah” by Shannon Scott

This came out last Fall but I failed to put it up on my blog. My fellow storyist and good friend Lisa Marie accompanied me as model and the photo shoot itself was a lot of fun but they didn’t use a single shot of me smiling! The magazine had also lost its editor and not to bite the hand that feeds, but it suffered much from late late night copy editing with very sore eyes so please forgive the glaring errors! All the same, it was a good time had by all and I got to share some previously unknown Savannah historical and haunted facts! It also seemed fitting that The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus was on the cover as I’m a huge fan of the show and as my fans know, I drop a reference to it at least once a day on my Bonaventure Cemetery Journey’s tour in a fun and unexpected way! Cause yeah, I roll like that!

Norman Reedus’ Oct2017 SOUTH Mag Cover

Shannon Scott & Lisa Marie South Magazine

Haunted Savannah Article South Magazine 2017

Photo By Paul D. Graham

Shannon Scott and Lisa Marie South Magazine Cemetery Photoshoot

The Hauntings of The Captain Dickerson Homes