Tiverton news/Service clubs

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Seven new trees were dedicated and 10 loved ones honoured at a special ceremony Sunday afternoon at the Tiverton Walk of Memories.

Tiverton Lion Bob Simpson, chairman of the committee in charge of the park, welcomed about 100 people to the service and urged them to look around and imagine that the beautiful Walk of Memories was once an open field with just two ball parks in the middle.

The site has become a place of many memories, he said, in fact more than 137.

"That's how many memorial trees the Tiverton Lions Club has planted and the number of names that are engraved on the plaques throughout the park," said Simpson. "Today we celebrate the planting of a tree in memory of your loved one and we have added their name to a plaque permanently displayed at the site."

He said the project dates back to 1999-2000 when the Tiverton Lions Club partnered with the Municipality of Kincardine to get it under way. 

"Without the continued support of the municipality, specifically the parks and public works departments, the park would not be as it is today. We also get a lot of support from members of the community - take a look at the gardens and you will see what I mean."

Joining Simpson on the park committee are Lions Hank Van Moorsel, Brent Crawford and Ron Roppel.

Simpson said there are a number of original photos of the park that can be viewed at the Tiverton Lions Hall, as well as some sketches Van Moorsel put together to outline what his dream was.

Rev. Jeanette Fleischer opened the ceremony with a dedication prayer, noting that the tree is a symbol of strength and growth, and has both roots and flexibility.

"We dedicate these trees in memory of our loved ones," she said. "The trees remind us of those who are gone, and we remember them."

Anne Roppel (L) and Marg Gregg sing

Anne Roppel and Marg Gregg sang for the crowd, and then Van Moorsel read the following poem by A.K. Rowswell:

SHOULD YOU GO FIRST

Should you go first and I remain
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known
In Spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue.
In early Fall, when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping  hand
Will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain
To finish with the scroll.
No length'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same.
For some day down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.

The ceremonial planting was completed and the plaque unveiled with the following names engraved on it:

• Norman Dryden, 1917-2010
• Herman and Hazel Carefoot
• Frank Mahaffy
• James L. and Irene Hutton
• Barb MacKenzie, 1952-2011
• William and Jennett Campbell
• Angela Dianne McConnell

Simpson and McTeer then presented memorial certificates to family members of each of those being dedicated. 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 this 26th day of June, 2011."

A minute of silence was marked in honour of those to whom the trees were dedicated. Fleischer closed with prayer, and everyone was invited for refreshments at the Tiverton Lions Hall.

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Monday, June 27, 2011