A walk in the cemetery with I Know ME
The Wilson family plot: Lorri Vaillancourt with Sylis, Ethan and Desmin. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
Jack Deslippe, AmeriCorps member with the Game Loft/I Know ME program, poses at Grove Cemetery where he recently portrayed John Cochrane, a wealthy proprietor who was a participant in the Boston Tea Party 1773. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
Patricia Estabrook, script writer, organizer, wardrobe and hostess as Mrs Johnson.
Working together across the centuries: Some of the youth who helped pull a sunk sailboat out of Belfast Harbor on October 2. The group was led by AmeriCorps member Jack Deslippe. Participants are (L-R): Ethan Cowan, 16; Jesse Cowan, 17; Shi McLellan, 14, Sylis Littlefield, 15, Desmin Littlefield, 16. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
The Wilson family plot: Lorri Vaillancourt with Sylis, Ethan and Desmin. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
Jack Deslippe, AmeriCorps member with the Game Loft/I Know ME program, poses at Grove Cemetery where he recently portrayed John Cochrane, a wealthy proprietor who was a participant in the Boston Tea Party 1773. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
Patricia Estabrook, script writer, organizer, wardrobe and hostess as Mrs Johnson.
Working together across the centuries: Some of the youth who helped pull a sunk sailboat out of Belfast Harbor on October 2. The group was led by AmeriCorps member Jack Deslippe. Participants are (L-R): Ethan Cowan, 16; Jesse Cowan, 17; Shi McLellan, 14, Sylis Littlefield, 15, Desmin Littlefield, 16. (Photo courtesy I Know ME)
BELFAST — On Saturday, October 2, six youth from three I Know ME cohorts, led by AmeriCorps member Jack Deslippe, collaborated with the Belfast Historical Society and the Grove Cemetery Association to interpret
the lives of luminaries from Belfast’s past.
Five members and staff interpreted the lives of Colonial era residents. Two cohort members and a community volunteer interpreted Civil War era residents. Two cohort members interpreted late 19th century personalities including one who held séances for more than 29 years in his home. One staff member was the hostess and interpreted the life of a famous philanthropist from Belfast.
Engaging in history helps students understand themselves in relation to those who have gone before and who have contributed their time, energy, and money to making Belfast a livable community.”
About 25 people attended the cemetery walk and the response was highly favorable from the attendees.
After the cemetery walk, the cast, still in costume, went to downtown Belfast for ice cream. While they were enjoying their treats they were recruited by Belmont Boatyard to help pull in a sailboat that had sunk in the harbor the night before. The picture shows what Mr. Peirce knew through his séances 100 years ago, sometimes the living need a little help from the dead.
This is the fourth costumed historical event that I Know ME students and AmeriCorps members have participated in this summer. These events help students understand: costume and foodways of different periods, participate in a quasi-theatrical troupe, interact with other cohorts, and volunteer in enjoyable community events which increases the visibility of the program.
