John
Hoeschele's "strange and unexpected" interest in old cemeteries led him
to join and become president of the Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of
Trustees, where he is currently exploring innovative ways to tackle that
historic cemetery's many financial and operational challenges.
Hoeschele has lived in Cortland since 1988 (with his wife, Lisa, and
their two children, Max and Margaret). Originally from Rochester, NY,
Hoeschele is a marketing executive at Syracuse-based Anaren, Inc.
Hoeschele has headed up the creative departments at several CNY ad
agencies; was a partner in an industrial dot com; ran his own company in
Cortland for six years (Drum Creative Corp.); and is an active
contributor to Cortland's non-profit organizations, including past
membership in the noon Rotary Club and Downtown Business Association,
and Cortland Rural Cemetery Foundation -- and past chairmanship of the
Lime Hollow Nature Center board. John Hoeschele spoke at the first ever
TEDxCortland, held November 9th, 2013, at Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
A few photos from the Cortland Rural Cemetery's 2014 (2nd annual) Cemetery Sweep-out Day, wherein members of the local and college community donate their time tidying up our 44-acre, non-profit cemetery for the mowing season and for the benefit of all. Thanks to all who helped out!
Tioughnioga River Anthology
Cortland, NY -- In this video/slideshow, Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of Trustees president, John Hoeschele, recaps the summer 2013 completion of a headstone-righting project conducted by the CRC's staff -- with invaluable support from members of the City of Cortland's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The headstones in question were down not as a result of vandalism -- but, rather, through natural processes seen in cemeteries throughout the Northeast (eg: frost cycle, ice formation, woodchucks digging around foundations, etc.)
Cortland, NY -- In this video, Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of Trustees President, John Hoeschele, describes the July, 2013 clean out of the backyard of the CRCs 9 Sands Street property in preparation for the cemetery's future waste-management initiative. Invaluable support was provided by the City of Cortland Department of Public Works.
Cortland, NY -- Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of Trustees President, John Hoeschele, speaks about the cemetery's 2013 "Save the Slate!" fundraising campaign aimed at raising financial support to replace the copper systems on the cemetery's historic office/garage and Superintendent's house -- both of which were designed by Carl W. Clark and erected in 1928.
Cortland, NY -- Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of Trustees President, John Hoeschele, speaks about the cemetery's ongoing battle with woodchuck damage...and appeals for community support/ideas to keep the creatures in check.
Cortland, NY -- Cortland Rural Cemetery Board of Trustees President, John Hoeschele, speaks about the cemetery's aging water system (for watering cemetery plantings, visitors' flowers, etc.)...and appeals for community support/ideas to improve the system (potentially with an environmentally friendly, low-cost alternative to running and repairing new lines).