Halloween and Fall Games Still Tops with Young Kids

by Daniel Applegate
President, Arlington Memorial Gardens

Anybody who thought today’s kids were only interested in video games would have been in for a big surprise at the first annual Kids Fall Festival held at Arlington Memorial Gardens on Saturday, October 5.

Bobbing for apples was a delight at the first annual Arlington Kids Fall Festival.

Despite torrential rain just prior to the 2:00 PM start time, more than 50 children ages 3 through 8 congregated on the South Lawn of Arlington Lake and were, quite literally, off and running. The Arlington Kids Fall Festival featured games that were a throwback to our childhood – and it was gratifying to see today’s kids just as engaged in the games as we were when we were their age.

Smiling faces and squeals and screeches of joy filled the Arlington Memorial Gardens grounds as our young visitors moved from sack races to the old-fashioned bobbing for apples game. And then proceeded to a pumpkin ring toss and then decorated those pumpkins. 

The Arlington Kids Fall Festival presented strong evidence that kids are still kids, regardless of the digital attractions that surround them today.  And, according to John Wright, Arlington Memorial Gardens Coordinator of Special Events, it was hard to tell who was enjoying themselves more -- the kids or their parents. 

The comments we heard from parents were as rewarding as the smiles on their children’s faces. One mother said, "This reminds me so much of when I was a kid" while another offered, "This event is just perfect."

Many of us lament the effects of the digital age and how ever growing digital distractions are influencing today's youth, but the first annual Arlington Memorial Gardens Kids Fall Festival made it abundantly apparent that the activities of a much earlier era still retain their timeless appeal.

As part of our commitment to the community, Arlington Memorial Gardens proudly hosts many events during the course of the year including Remembrance Services, Summer Concerts, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Sunrise Service, and Bereavement Series – and we are proud to make the Arlington Kids Fall Festival a regular event here, as well.

If you have thoughts on any other events, you’d like to see us host in the future, please contact Arlington Memorial Gardens.

Please click here to see photos from the First Annual Kids Fall Festival at Arlington Memorial Gardens.

Daniel Applegate became part of the Arlington Memorial Gardens organization in 2001 and has worked in the cemetery industry since 1981, including serving as Secretary/Treasurer and then as President of the Ohio state cemetery association.  He was appointed by Ohio Governor George Voinovich and served two terms on the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission, Ohio's cemetery oversight agency. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.

Bereavement,Support Program Helps You Recover from Grief: Arlington Memorial Gardens

by Daniel Applegate
President, Arlington Memorial Gardens

When you lose someone close to you, you may feel like the pain and sadness you're experiencing will never end -- and that's actually a normal reactions to your loss. But while there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that, in time, can renew you and help you move on.

Obviously, following the loss of a loved-one, many survivors experience a deep sense of grief that often can become debilitating. To help families through this difficult period of adjustment and ultimate recovery, Arlington Memorial Gardens sponsors and hosts a bereavement program utilizing the skills of two Cincinnati-based therapists, Dr. Barbara Steffens, PhD. and Dr. Sheryl Cohen, PhD.

The bereavement program at Arlington Memorial Gardens includes a series of four one-hour sessions that complement and build upon each other.  The format is a small group setting and functions somewhat similar to a support group.  Each group ranges in number from four to eight participants and meets in the comfort and privacy of our Community Room. 

During the course of the bereavement program series, the therapist takes the participants through the stages of grief and facilitates discussions centering around common difficulties that may be encountered. Of course, like so many other emotional events in life, the grief must first be acknowledged and confronted.  Through instruction, discussion and interaction, the participants gain an appreciation and understanding of expectations, pitfalls, well-being, and self-care.

From its inception, Arlington Memorial Gardens has received consistent feedback that our program has been instrumental in helping survivors deal with the impact of grief.  However, a recent card we received perhaps best expresses the intention of the program:

"Thanks so much for offering the Bereavement Program at Arlington Memorial Gardens.  I look forward to attending each session.  It has been a great support for me in my time of grief."

Arlington Memorial Gardens provides this program as a community service and underwrites the entire cost with the exception of an initial $5.00 registration fee. Those who are interested in participating, whether experiencing difficulties or merely in need a boost, may contact Joanne Martin at (513) 521-7003 or by e-mailing her at our Administrative Center at joanne@amgardens.org or click here.

Daniel Applegate became part of the Arlington Memorial Gardens organization in 2001 and has worked in the cemetery industry since 1981, including serving as Secretary/Treasurer and then as President of the Ohio state cemetery association.  He was appointed by Ohio Governor George Voinovich and served two terms on the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission, Ohio's cemetery oversight agency. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.