Sixty members of the Historic Riverside Cemetery Conservancy were treated to a reception and lecture in the elegant, spacious Macon Public Mausoleum, graciously decorated in a tropical theme with Turkish rugs, potted palms, and flowers. Their palates were tantalized with shrimp and scallop ceviche, tropical fruits, a variety of homemade finger sandwiches, sausage balls, Becky (Bowdre) Cookies and grilled chicken wings (courtesy of maintenance crew member Bernard Lamb). A signature cocktail, the Screeching Parrot, designed by Andrea Miller, mixologist at Lemongrass Thai Bistro, was a fruity and festive aperitif. ("Did you say Screeching Parent?" slyly exclaimed Riverside Cemetery Board member Bert Maxwell.)

Author Rick Hutto gave a fascinating presentation about Chester Burge.  Hutto's book about the Burge family, A Peculiar Tribe of People-Murder and Madness in the Heart of Georgia, will be released by Lyons Press in the fall.