Happy Birthday, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill!

Above, yours truly and Glenn Thornhill at the Hart monument in 1984.

Happy Birthday to XSNGH, XNGH Glenn "Cowpie" Thornhill!

Above, Armand and Glenn with Steve Born at Tapo Canyon in 1988.

One may wonder how he became to be known (at least around here) as "Cowpie".

Here's the story: 

Back in the 1980s (I think it was either 1985 or 1986), we had a clamp-out at Vail Ranch with Platrix No. 2, ECV. One morning, I started up a campfire. Nearby, were piles of cowpies (cow dung, for those of you who are city slickers). It was hard to avoid them as they were all over. This is only natural as we were camped in a cow pasture on a ranch.

Above, at Vail Ranch.

I was sitting by the fire and Glenn came up and said something like, "Jeez, you had to make a campfire right next to a cowpie!" And he proceeded to kick it away. Although it looked dry on the surface. It wasn't. When he kicked it, it got all over his shoe. That was funny! It was even funnier seeing him jumping around trying to get it off his shoe (those were the days when we were still young enough to even jump around).

So that's how he became to be known as Glenn "Cowpie" Thornhill.

Above, Glenn addresses the Memorial Day celebration at Pioneer Cemetery in Sylmar in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I once drew a cartoon of this little episode. It is somewhere around here. I was hoping to find it to scan it and post it here. But no such luck.

Anyway, this is his day. So...

Happy Birthday, Glenn!

A More Sedate Memorial Day

Above, the gathering at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year, I made no plans on how I would be spending this year's Memorial Day.

Last year, Platrix Chapter No. 2 of E Clampus Vitus took care of that as the chapter took part in Memorial Day celebrations at the Pioneer Cemetery in Sylmar by dedicating a monument there. The event was well attended and following the ceremonies, the chapter members migrated to the clubhouse at El Cariso Golf Course for adult beverages and munchies.

Pioneer Memorial Cemetery was made "famous" as the location where Bela Lugosi's scenes were filmed in 1956 for what became Plan Nine From Outer Space by Ed Wood.

Above, Dave Nicholson and Armand at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery.

I will probably be moving a few things out of the overhead cabinets in The Beast and putting them into the newly-discovered storage space under one of the dinette seats. Other than that, I will be barbecuing a steak for dinner. This will be a more sedate Memorial Day compared to last year's.

Above, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill and Armand at the El Cariso Golf Course clubhouse. 

What else today has in store for me is anyone's guess.

Above, the newly-discovered storage space in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day!

A Thank You To Platrix No. 2, ECV

Above, the Clamper monument that was dedicated on Memorial Day. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A "pat on the back" is always most welcome, and Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus received one last night as a comment to my post, "Clampers Invade Sylmar On Memorial Day". I deemed it worthy of its own blog posting.

Alma Wade, the Secretary-Treasurer for the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery wrote:

Dear Clampers: It is with great admiration that the Pioneer Cemetery Committee Thanks You for the beautiful monument,honoring the five Civil War Veterans, that was dedicated on Monday, May 30, 2016. I could not find a mailing address to send a letter but was fortunate enough to find this page and hope it is forwarded to the whole group that took part in our annual Memorial Day program. I did not have the chance to meet any of you but your group sounds like great fun. My sister, Jacky Walker, was very impressed with the monument and the gentleman that prepared the site. It was quite a wonderful day and we appreciate your participation. Thank you. 

Alma Wade, Secretary-Treasurer, Pioneer Cemetery, Sylmar, CA 

About Clamper Plaque Spelling Errors

Photos by Armand Vaquer

Over on Facebook at one of the E Clampus Vitus pages, it was noted by one of the brothers that the new monument (pictured above) at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar (dedicated yesterday) has a spelling error:

IT'S ALSO A TYPO.
IT'S NOT "IN MEMORIUM."
IT'S "IN MEMORIAM."
PITY TOMBSTONES DON'T COME WITH SPELL CHECK.

A brother responded:

It would not be a bona fide Clamper plaque -- especially a Platrix plaque -- if it didn't have at least one spelling error in it. 

A few years ago they plaqued the site of the studio (now the site of the Frank del Omo Elementary School) where the first Godzilla movie had additional footage added so it would appeal to American audiences. They misspelled "Tokyo," instead spelling it "Toyoko."

Yes, it is a Clamper tradition (not always strictly adhered to) to have a spelling error in a plaque's text. Remember, E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization based on humor.

Clampers Invade Sylmar On Memorial Day

Above, the Clamper monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Memorial Day was spent dedicating a monument at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, California with Platrix Chapter No. 2 of E Clampus Vitus and many other people.

The dedication was part of a program put on by the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, who oversees the upkeep of the cemetery.

The event was attended by about 30 Clampers, elected officials, other dignitaries and citizens.

It was an enjoyable event (although the bagpiper's performance of "Amazing Grace" left much to be desired). Poor guy.

Following the event, the Clampers migrated to the clubhouse of El Cariso Golf Course for refreshments.

Here are some photos of the event:

Above, the main entrance to the cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the few remaining headstones. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly in full Clamper regalia. Photo by Dave Nicholson.

Above, Dave Nicholson and Armand.

Above, Platrix Noble Grand Humbug Denny “Too Tall” Thompson.

Above, the monument is unveiled. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Platrix Historian Glenn Thornhill tells of the history of E Clampus Vitus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, some of the attendees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Glenn Thornhill and Armand at the El Cariso Golf Course bar.

Above, a toast to Clampers who have gone to the Golden Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the event patch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Plan Nine" Cemetery To Be Plaqued Monday

Above, Bela Lugosi in Plan Nine From Outer Space.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which means that people will either be heading out to points unknown or staying around town and barbecuing.

For me, I have no plans for the weekend. So I am essentially just going to hang around home.

But, on Monday (which is Memorial Day), Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus will be erecting a plaque at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, California. A number of notable pioneers in Los Angeles history are buried there. I'll be attending.

It is said that some 600 people are buried at the cemetery, but there's only a few headstones there. The cemetery was abandoned for a number of years and the tombstones fell victim to neglect and vandalism. In recent years, the cemetery has been under care by historical groups.

The cemetery is noted for a particular movie production: Ed Wood's Plan Nine From Outer Space (1959). The movie was shot around 1956-57, but not released until 1959.

According to IMBD trivia on the movie:

The cemetery used for filming is the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, CA. It still stands, although many of the grave stones were stolen or vandalized. 

Bela Lugosi appears in footage shot just before his death, but with no script in mind. Edward D. Wood Jr. wrote the script to accommodate all the footage shot in a cemetery and outside Tor Johnson's house in the new production. Lugosi was doubled by Tom Mason, Wood's wife's chiropractor, who was significantly taller than Lugosi, and played the part with a cape covering his face.

The cemetery was near Tor Johnson's home.

The plaque dedication will take place at 11:00 at the cemetery at 14451 Bledsoe, Sylmar.

If you miss this, you're stupid, stupid, stupid!