Ten new memorial trees dedicated at Tiverton Walk of Memories

More than 100 people gathered at the Tiverton Walk of Memories, Sunday afternoon, for the dedication of 10 new memorial trees planted there this year.

Tiverton Lion Bob Simpson, chairman of the event, welcomed everyone and said the dedication is a time of celebration and remembrance of those being honoured in the park which now has a total of 185 trees, dedicated in memory of 227 people.

The project began in 1999 with the simple idea of planting a tree in memory of Frank Worden, a member of the Tiverton Lions Club. The plan has expanded to become the beautiful memorial park, west of the Tiverton Sports Centre.

Simpson thanked all the Lions members and volunteers, and the Municipality of Kincardine employees, who keep the Walk of Memories looking so wonderful. He also thanked Lions Brent Crawford and Hank VanMoorsel, who helped plant the trees.

Rev. Jeanette Fleischer of Knox Presbyterian Church, Tiverton, told the crowd that trees are a gift from God and it's good to see so many of them in the Walk of Memories. Trees provide natural beauty and purify the air, she said. "We can learn life's lessons from a tree - be flexible, value the little things, and don't be intimidated by the big things. Remember, that tree began as a little nut that held its ground."

The Tiverton and Community youth singers, led by Marian Glenn, Amanda Steinhoff Grey and John and Kasey Culbert, sang "The Tree Song," and "We Rise Again."

Tiverton Lions Michelle Rhody and Rosemary Grover conducted a ceremonial tree-planting, followed by the presentation of certificates to family and friends of those being remembered in the Walk of Memories.

The certificate reads: "This tree symbolizes the promise that the loved ones in our lives, who have passed on, will never be forgotten. May this be a symbol of faith to all who are living, that how we live is as important as how we are remembered. May God bless the contributors of this tree, planted this day, June 21, 2015."

A minute of silence was observed in memory of those honoured at the ceremony. They include:
 

• John L. Smith, 1924-2014
• Blayre Cassidy Bernard
• Bryan Wray McConnell - 2014
• Eldon Ray Colwell
• Gary R. Smith, 1938-2014
• Oscar and Mary Norman
• Rebecca Hunter
• Mary Lou McComb
• Steven White, 1957-2014
• Karen Hardman Todd, 1966-2014

Following a closing prayer by Rev. Fleischer, the crowd was invited back to Lions Hall for refreshments.