Hot, sunny afternoon as Tiverton Lions hold Walk of Memories tree dedication ceremony

It was a hot, sunny afternoon, as about 100 people gathered at the Tiverton Lions Walk of Memories for the 15th annual tree dedication ceremony, Sunday.

Lion Gerda Roppel welcomed everyone and said this event helps keep alive the memories of loved ones.

"Feel free to visit here often," she said. "It's a lovely walk along the concrete walkway, past the peaceful waterfall, the gazebo, beautiful flower beds, a pictorial history of Tiverton long ago, and benches to rest on. There is unique energy-efficient lighting all along the walk, and at the end or beginning, depending on your point of entry, there is an International Lions Arch."

Roppel said the Walk of Memories now has 185 trees, and 243 names on the plaques. Sunday afternoon 13 trees were  dedicated, in memory of 21 loved ones.

Rev. Brian Martin of Chalmers Community Church, told the crowd that there are three trees of encouragement in the Bible. The first was the one that our ancestors ate from when they were forbidden to eat that fruit. They rebelled against God, sin entered the world, and man was separated from God.

Then God came to us through Jesus Christ who showed us how we could meet God here. And when Jesus saved us by sacrificing Himself on the Cross, that was the second tree.

And the third one is the Tree of Life found in Revelations 22, said Martin. "We live in a crazy, mixed-up world, but we must recognize that this world is not our home. We live between the trees. When Jesus comes back to make this world right, there will be no tears, no sickness, no death. When we understand that, then we know our hope is in God."

Olivia Convay sang "The Broken Road," accompanied by Luke McBride on guitar, and Lion Brent Crawford read a poem, "Silver Birch," written by Rosemary Doran.

Lion Guy Martin unveiled the plaque of names, and Crawford did the ceremonial tree-planting. The Tiverton Lions then presented certificates in memory of the following people to whom the 13 trees are dedicated:
 

• Elma Dryden - 1923-2015
• Allan and Marjorie Evans
• Hugh and Florence Fitzsimmons
• Robert "Bob" Grover
• Marion Keyzona Husk
• Lloyd, Margaret and Jim Hutton
• Walter J. Hyde
• Bryan Jones
• Frank and Mary McFadyen
• Russell and Thelma McKellar
• Albert and Stella Seguin
• Chantell Shaw
• Clara and Murray Todd

The ceremony ended with a minute of silence, a closing prayer, and refreshments at the Lions Hall.