Annual Memorial Tree Grove ceremony held
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EVANSTON — Friends and family members gathered on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 9, for the 17th annual Bear Parkway Memorial Tree Grove Recognition Ceremony. Board member Patricia Arnold welcomed guests to the ceremony and shared her thoughts on the meaning of the Memorial Tree Grove.
Arnold said that since its creation in 2000, the grove has honored and celebrated individuals who have passed on, and particularly those who enjoyed the outdoors and who worked to benefit the Evanston community. The grove consists of 35 trees of different types and the memorial stones now bear the names of over 150 individuals whose loved ones have chosen to memorialize them.
“The trees give the grove an atmosphere of peace and serenity,” said Arnold, and the ceremony itself shared those qualities.
Following Arnold’s remarks and an opening prayer, flutist Ian Siegismund performed a solo rendition of “I Can Only Imagine.” Justin Keyes followed with a reading of the poem, “A Life Well Lived.”
Recognition of the 2017 memorial names included board member Jason Banks reading each name and board member LaDonna Howard presenting flowers to loved ones. One by one the names were read and individuals stepped forward to place flowers on the tree-shrouded stones — some alone, many holding hands or leaning on others for support and most visibly moved and emotional.
After all names had been read, Howard took the microphone for “The Horse,” a reading about loss and the often conflicting emotions of those trying to muster the courage to keep living after losing a loved one. Ian Siegismud then stepped up for a final musical number, “Amazing Grace.”
Attendees were then invited to stay for a brunch provided courtesy of NGL Connection. Many lingered outside and took turns stepping to the memorial stones to take photos or place more flowers next to loved ones’ names, embracing and sharing laughter and tears on the sunny Saturday morning.
Individuals memorialized this year were Donna H. Staley, Catherine Noel Howerton, Susan Howerton, Jason Crompton, P.S. Pat Withrow, Barbara Bills, Troy Levi Milam, Becky Henrikson, Montreuil Fox, Sharleen Wilson, Traci Lynne Graham, Ginger Newsome, and Christene Solomon.