Tiverton Lions hold Walk of Memories tree dedication ceremony at community centre in Tiverton

The Tiverton Lions have always held their annual Walk of Memories tree dedication ceremony outside, despite the weather conditions, but they weren't chancing heavy rain and a thunderstorm, so they held the event indoors at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton, Sunday, June 18.

About 150 people attended the ceremony which saw 18 trees dedicated in memory of 21 people.

Lion Brent Crawford welcomed everyone and said the Walk of Memories, located between the Tiverton Sports Centre and the Tiverton Library, now has 216 trees as memorials for 268 people.

He said the project began in 1999 and the first dedication ceremony was held in October, 2002. It was held one more year in  the cold, snowy fall, before being swtiched to June.

Crawford said there are now nine plaques bearing the names of those being remembered with the planting of trees in the Walk of Memories.

He thanked the committee that helped him with the dedication ceremony, including fellow Lions Rosemary Grover, Gerda Roppel and Ward Cox. He thanked the crowd for its support of the program, and he thanked those who helped plant the trees, including Randy Roppel, Chuck Exel and Kincardine Lion Andrew Lunshof.

"We thank the municipality for keeping the grass cut," he said, "and to all of those who keep the gardens beautiful."

Rev. David Chang of Knox Presbyterian Church, Tiverton, said the trees make a long-lasting memorial to those we love.

"May you take the time to walk where the trees are planted and feel the joy of the loved ones who are remembered there," he said. "Take your grandchildren through the Walk of Memories and tell them the story about your loved one, so they will remember that person."

Chuck Exel provided special music, and Lion Rosemary Grover read the poem, "Trees."

Lion Ward Cox unveiled the plaque, and Lion Hank VanMoorsel read out the names of those for whom the trees were planted, while Lions members presented plaques to the families:
 

• Davina Shafir - daughter
• Sean L. Smith - 1984-2016
• Wilbert "Wib" Shewfelt
• Fritz W. Larsen - 1933-2016
• Donald John Pettigrew
• C. Mike Palmer - 1939-2017
• John Lenard Kempers
• Muriel Gowanlock
• Stuart and Irene Bradley
• Frances Louise Argalis
• Rylla Stewart
• Bill Wittig - 1938-2016
• Catherine Ann Todd
• G. Howard Ribey - 1940-2015
• George and James Hendry
• Floyd Steen
• Betty Eskrick
• Robert "Bob" and Ida Bonnett

The crowd paused for a minute of silence, and Chang closed with prayer.

Refreshments followed the ceremony.